Denmark‘s transfer of 19 American-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine will take place in the second quarter of 2024, once Ukrainian pilots have completed training, the defence ministry said Saturday.
“Based on the current timetable, the donation should take place in the second quarter of 2024,” the Danish ministry said in a statement. “It’s mainly an issue of finishing the training of Ukrainian personnel who will operate the planes.”
Denmark, which is replacing its F-16 fleet with more modern F-35 jets, announced in August that it would provide the 19 planes after securing approval from the US government.Kyiv had long sought to obtain the fighters after heavy losses incurred by its air force, which flies mostly Russian aircraft.
“Based on the current timetable, the donation should take place in the second quarter of 2024,” the Danish ministry said in a statement. “It’s mainly an issue of finishing the training of Ukrainian personnel who will operate the planes.”
Denmark, which is replacing its F-16 fleet with more modern F-35 jets, announced in August that it would provide the 19 planes after securing approval from the US government.Kyiv had long sought to obtain the fighters after heavy losses incurred by its air force, which flies mostly Russian aircraft.