Denmark to hand over two more batches of F-16 fighters to Ukraine
19 November 2024 22:37
Denmark will transfer two more batches of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and there are no changes in the plans to transfer them. This was stated by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
In total, Ukraine is to receive 19 aircraft. Denmark has already handed over six F-16 fighters to Ukraine. The remaining 13 planes will be delivered in two batches.
“Our plans for F-16s have not changed. The number is the same as it has always been. Six have already been delivered. This was the first batch,” Frederiksen said.
She reminded that since last summer, Denmark has been involved in training Ukrainian pilots to fly these fighters.
“It was difficult, but we managed to succeed in the training. Therefore, the process continues. And then there will be another batch and another next batch. In total, there will be 19 (aircraft – ed.), as we said at the very beginning,” she said.
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F-16 for Ukraine
The United States has led the Ukrainian Air Force Development Capability Coalition in the management of F-16 multi-role fighters. The Netherlands and Denmark became co-chairs.
In August last year, Denmark and the Netherlands promised to provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 fighters. However, on August 20, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, after talks with then-Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, said that Ukraine would receive a total of 42 American F-16s.
In order for the delivery to begin, it was necessary for Ukrainian pilots and maintenance personnel to be trained and for Ukraine to prepare the infrastructure. As reported by , in May 2024, the first group of Ukrainian pilots completed their F-16 training in the United States and headed to Europe.
Although the first aircraft arrived in August, things are not moving quickly. For example, Belgium plans to hand over most of the planes in 2025. Meanwhile, Ukraine has begun to lose even the units it has.
It is not known for certain how many F-16s are currently in service in Ukraine. In total, Ukraine has been promised more than a hundred F-16s, but at some point.
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