Danish F-16 Fighters to Arrive in Ukraine Within a Month.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced that the F-16 fighters Denmark is transferring to Ukraine will be under the control of the Ukrainian Air Force within a month. During a joint press conference with Nordic leaders and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Stockholm on 13 May 2024, she indicated that these fighters would be operational in Ukrainian skies within a month.
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This delivery follows the successful completion of basic training for the first group of Ukrainian pilots in the United Kingdom, who have now begun their training on F-16s in Denmark (Picture source: Royal Danish Air Force)

Denmark is set to provide 19 F-16 fighters to Ukraine as part of an aviation coalition led by the Netherlands and Denmark, aiming to transfer modern F-16 fighters to Ukraine. The first batch of five aircraft is expected to arrive shortly. This delivery follows the successful completion of basic training for the first group of Ukrainian pilots in the United Kingdom, who have now begun their training on F-16s in Denmark.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren previously indicated that Denmark could begin delivering the fighters this summer, and Frederiksen's latest statements align with this timeline. Denmark's commitment is part of a broader coalition promise to procure and supply approximately 40 US-designed F-16s to Ukraine, with the Netherlands contributing 24 jets to this effort.

Frederiksen emphasized the urgent need for Western nations to accelerate the delivery of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, stressing the importance of strengthening Ukraine's air defenses. She noted that the ongoing Russian advance in the Donbas and Kharkiv regions has intensified the need for effective air defense systems, describing the situation as unfavorable for Ukraine. The lack of air defenses has been cited as a primary reason for Ukrainian losses, prompting repeated calls for increased support from NATO and EU nations.

In March, Dutch Defense Minister Ollongren confirmed that Denmark would be the first to deliver F-16s, with additional aircraft from the Netherlands expected later in the year. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Ilya Evlash suggested that the jets could arrive as early as "after Easter," reflecting the urgency and anticipation surrounding these deliveries.

Despite the optimism surrounding the arrival of the F-16s, some senior Ukrainian military officials have expressed concerns that the aircraft might arrive too late to have a significant impact on the conflict. While the arrival of the F-16s will provide support for Ukrainian forces, it is clear that they will not be a game-changer in the war against Russia, especially considering their limited numbers.

Reports have indicated that Russia has already developed countermeasures against the F-16s, potentially reducing their effectiveness. Moscow has consistently argued that continued Western arms supplies to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict without changing its eventual outcome.