Cost of Denmark’s F-35 Fighter Jet Procurement Program Rises by 25%

The cost of the program to procure American F-35 fighter jets for Denmark turned out to be significantly higher than expected.

According to a report by the country’s National Audit Office, the total cost of the project will exceed the Ministry of Defense’s initial estimates by nearly €1.91 billion, reports BFM Business.

Auditors calculated that the program to acquire 27 F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin will cost the country approximately €9.5 billion over 30 years. This amount covers not only the purchase of the aircraft themselves but also their ongoing maintenance, pilot training, and operating costs.

Meanwhile, the Danish Defense Ministry had previously cited a figure of €7.64 billion. Thus, the actual increase in the cost of the program to purchase American aircraft for the country amounts to nearly 25%.

Financial inspectors called this situation “alarming” and criticized the Ministry of Defense for providing incomplete data to parliament during the project’s approval. According to the auditors, the ministry used overly optimistic projections to calculate long-term costs and proved unable to adequately assess the actual financial needs.

The National Audit Office warns that this cost overrun will negatively impact Denmark’s other defense programs.

Denmark has now received 23 of the 27 F-35 fighter jets it ordered, which are intended to replace its aging fleet of F-16s. Delivery of the final four aircraft to the Danish Air Force is expected by early 2027.