Denmark to Conclude F-16 Pilot Training Program for Ukraine by Year-End

In a joint press conference with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that Denmark will cease training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets by the end of this year.

The decision comes as Denmark transitions to F-35 fighter jets, which will be stationed at the Skrydstrup air base, where Ukrainian pilots are currently undergoing training.

Minister Poulsen detailed that nearly 20 Ukrainian pilots will complete their F-16 training before the program concludes in late 2024. He emphasized that while Denmark will no longer host the training, the country remains committed to supporting the training of Ukrainian pilots in other capacities. "Today, Ukrainian pilots are also undergoing training in Romania, but we have not yet decided whether Denmark will contribute to this," Poulsen added.

The shift in training strategy follows Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's announcement on August 20, 2023, regarding Denmark's plan to send 19 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently indicated that these aircraft would arrive in Ukraine soon.

Training efforts in Denmark began in August 2023, with eight Ukrainian tactical aviation pilots commencing their F-16 training. Alongside the pilots, 65 specialists are also being trained in the maintenance and repair of these aircraft. The F-16s designated for Ukraine were upgraded in the 2000s under the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program, which included significant repairs and the installation of a modern AN/APG-66(V)2 radar.