Denmark Gets Four F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets, Accelerates Transfer of F-16s to Ukraine

The United States will hand over four F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft to Denmark today.

In total, Denmark will receive seven F-35 fighter jets over the next two months. The Fighter Wing will receive the first part of a new delivery of F-35 fighter aircraft today, with additional jets scheduled to land at the airbase in Skrydstrup in December and January.

By January, Denmark's fleet of 11 F-35s will replace the F-16s, with full operational readiness expected by 2025.

The F-35 aircraft arrival in Denmark coincided with the transfer of a second batch of F-16 jets to Ukraine.

The F-35A Lightning II, manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Texas, is expected to enhance Denmark’s ability to enforce its sovereignty and contribute to NATO and allied coalitions.

The jets are being flown from the United States via the Azores. Earlier this year, Denmark decided to withdraw its F-35s in TR-2 configuration from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona as newer TR-3 configuration jets became available. This ensures that Denmark maintains a modern and robust defense capability.

Denmark received its first F-35 jets in September 2023, with the latest deliveries further advancing the Danish Air Force’s transition to the next generation of fighter aircraft.

Meanwhile, a second batch of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark arrived in Ukraine, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

These jets, part of Denmark's aid to Ukraine, join an initial batch already in use for intercepting Russian missiles. The total number of F-16 jets in Ukraine is now estimated to be between 15 to 19.