Denmark has begun training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, the acting Defense Minister of Denmark, Troels Lund Poulsen, announced on 26 June, the Associated Press reported.
Troels Lund Poulsen said Denmark started a training and “further education effort” for the Ukrainian pilots. While Ukrainian pilots began training in Denmark, the Danish government announced plans to begin decommissioning its fleet of aging US-made F-16 fighter jets two years ahead of schedule. Thus, the replacement fighters, F-35s, will be operative by 2025 instead of 2027, as it was planned before, according to Denmark’s acting Defense Minister.
“We will also consider whether we should make a concrete donation to Ukraine of the Danish F-16 fighters, and how many there should be,” Troels Lund Poulsen said.
Ukrainian pilots will spend six to eight months training before a possible donation of Danish F-16 fighter jets can begin, Poulsen told Danish broadcaster DR.
The acting Defense Minister of Denmark did not rule out that the decision to transfer the F-16s to Ukraine could be made before the Ukrainian pilots complete their training in Denmark.
Denmark, which is a NATO member, plans to replace more than 40-year-old F-16s with 27 F-35A fighter jets, according to the Associated Press. Denmark’s Air Force has 30 operative F-16 fighters. The switch to the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets is scheduled to begin in late 2023 and will be completed by the end of 2025.
Related:
- Lockheed ready to train Ukrainian pilots if Nato allies send F-16s to Kyiv – FT
- Ukraine will be ready to deploy F-16 fighter jets not earlier than fall or winter – Defense Minister
- Poland and the Netherlands to help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets – CNN
- Zelenskyy outlines three-step plan to counter Russia, touts “Patriot coalition” at European Summit
- Ukraine will not use F-16s to strike Russian territory, Biden says
- Denmark joins Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jet coalition
- US signals to allies that it allow their exports of F-16 jets to Ukraine – CNN
