Norway pledged to supply six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2023, but none have entered service, with all aircraft still undergoing preparation in Belgium more than 2 years later, according to a report by NRK.
The delays highlight a broader pattern affecting Western military aid to Ukraine: while pledges are often announced quickly, delivery timelines depend on complex logistics, refurbishment, and coordination among donor states. In the case of F-16s, the challenge is particularly acute, as many donated aircraft require extensive overhaul before they can be deployed in combat conditions.
A Western advisor working with the Ukrainian Air Force told NRK the aircraft are urgently needed, especially after a winter marked by sustained Russian missile and drone attacks.
The source emphasized that the six jets could have helped save lives and better protect critical infrastructure by intercepting more aerial threats.
Delays tied to repair bottlenecks
The issue is not a single stalled shipment but a bottleneck in preparing aging aircraft for combat use.
Some of the jets had reportedly been used to train Ukrainian pilots in Denmark before being sent for servicing. Others were no longer airworthy and had to be transported in parts. All of them are now waiting at facilities run by Sabena Aerospace in Belgium.
Multiple sources told NRK that limited repair capacity and competing priorities have slowed progress. Ukraine and donor countries must decide whether to focus resources on maintaining jets already flying combat missions or preparing additional ones like the Norwegian aircraft.
For Ukraine, that trade-off has meant delays in expanding its fleet, even as demand for air defense has remained high.
Retired before donated: the repair gap
The Norwegian F-16s had already been phased out of service before the donation decision. Bringing them back into operational condition requires extensive work, including sourcing missing components and rebuilding systems.
By contrast, some allies transferred jets that were still in active use, allowing Ukraine to deploy them more quickly.
Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik acknowledged this gap in comments to NRK, saying the aircraft donated by Norway required significant preparation but were still considered worth sending.
Every jet still in a hangar is a gap in Ukraine's air shield
F-16s are an important part of Ukraine’s evolving air defense network, especially in countering drones and cruise missiles targeting energy infrastructure.
Each additional aircraft increases coverage and response flexibility. Delays in bringing new jets online therefore have a direct effect on Ukraine’s ability to protect cities and critical systems.
The six Norwegian jets, once operational, would add to a limited but growing fleet that Ukraine is relying on to close gaps in its air defense.
