Ukraine and Norway have initiated a discussion on a training mission for Ukrainian pilots.

President Volodymyr Zelensky made a corresponding statement in a video address.

He emphasized that Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram was visiting Kyiv.

“We are starting to talk to Norway about the possibility of a training mission for our pilots,” the President said.

According to him, Ukraine and Norway have generally achieved “extremely powerful relations” in many areas.

“This also applies to weapons: thanks to Norway, we have strengthened our air defense, artillery, and other types of troops. Also, Norway launched a program of long-term budget support for Ukraine – $7 billion for five years – which can and should become an example for our other partners,” Zelensky said.

He noted that the meeting also discussed additional steps that Ukraine and Norway can take together “so that this spring is successful both for Ukrainian defense and for the prospects of pan-European security.”

Aviation of Norway

In 2021, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense decided to decommission all 57 of its F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighters, which are part of the Luftforsvaret (Royal Norwegian Air Force).

Norway has decided that it does not need fighters of previous generations. After the F-16 fighter is decommissioned, the Royal Norwegian Air Force will have only one type of fighter – the F-35A.

The delivery of more than fifty of the newest military aircraft worth eight billion dollars is the largest defense purchase in the history of this Scandinavian country.

In March 2021, Norway put up for sale two of its decommissioned Royal Air Force F-16 Viper multirole fighters.

Norway was one of four initial European countries to order 74 F-16A/B multirole fighters. Of these, 56 were updated as part of the MLU (Mid-life Update) modernization program.