Denmark has already transferred twelve of the nineteen promised F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced this.

“It is a great honor for me that Denmark has pledged to provide Ukraine with 19 F-16 aircraft. Twelve of them have already been delivered, and the rest will also appear in the Ukrainian sky this year,” he said.

Mr. Poulsen recalled the lengthy discussions that preceded the decision to transfer the aircraft and emphasized that Denmark was able to realize this plan together with the Netherlands.

“We have to do even more. I think Europe needs to step up. The connection between Ukraine and Europe is extremely important. It is also necessary for Europe to invest more in military capabilities,” the Danish Defense Minister emphasized.

Earlier, it was reported that the Danish fighter jets will be transferred to Ukraine in three stages.

As part of the modernization program, Danish F-16s have undergone major repairs and, in particular, received a more modern AN/APG-66(V)2 airborne radar.

As you know, Denmark and the Netherlands lead an international coalition of fighter jets, within which Ukrainian pilots and technicians are trained to operate F-16s.

In Denmark, F-16s are gradually being replaced by new fifth-generation F-35A multi-role fighter jets. Another batch of three aircraft arrived in the country in mid-January 2025.

It was recently reported that Belgium will not be able to transfer its F-16s to Ukraine this year due to delays in the delivery of the ordered F-35s.

Belgium’s participation was initially limited to training and logistical support, but later, the government decided to transfer 30 fighter jets.

The transfer was scheduled to be completed in 2028 and was tied to the arrival of replacements.