Norway hastens delivery of F-16 to Ukraine: 6 fighters during 2024 to strengthen air defense against Russia

The Norwegian government issued a statement announcing that it is committed to transferring six F-16 fighters to Ukraine this 2024.

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Hours after U.S. President Joe Biden, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement informing that the process of transferring F-16 fighters to Ukraine is already underway, Norway also decided to «step on the gas» with the transfer of the much-needed fighter aircrafts to Kiev.

«The fighter jets, together with air defense systems, will be vital for the Ukrainians to be able to defend themselves against Russian air attacks,» said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

More F16 for Ukraine!

I am grateful to the Norwegian government, Prime Minister @jonasgahrstore, my counterpart @Bjornarildgram and ?? people for the decision to donate six F-16 fighters to Ukraine.

F-16s will definitely strengthen the defense of our cities and capabilities of…

— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) July 10, 2024

As well as the Netherlands and Denmark, Norway began phasing out its F-16 fleet in 2021 and is replacing them with F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. As a result, it was able to sell Romania 32 surplus F-16 fighters, and promised to transfer up to 22 F-16 MLUs to Kiev.

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The Nordic country is also supporting Ukraine with the training of Ukrainian pilots and personnel, at the training center set up in Denmark for this purpose.

Netherlands to purchase weapons for Ukrainian F-16s

The Netherlands informed that it will allocate an additional 300 million euros for the purchase of ammunition for the F-16s that, among others, the country will soon deliver to Ukraine. This amount is in addition to the 150 million euros already set aside for this purpose. It consists of armament for Kiev’s F-16s, which will be purchased directly from the industry. Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced this today during the NATO summit in Washington.

«Ukrainians should not only be able to fly F-16s, but also to use them,» Brekelmans said. «Therefore, ammunition is crucial. With the ammunition we are buying, the F-16s can help repel Russian attacks.»

Iedere dag zien we hoe belangrijk luchtverdediging is voor Oekraïne tegen de agressie van Rusland. Bewapening voor de F-16’s is essentieel. @ZelenskyyUa konden we daarom melden dat ?? voor € 300 miljoen extra munitie aanschaft voor de ?? F-16’s. pic.twitter.com/lo2bwEpnMy

— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) July 10, 2024

The Netherlands is one of the countries leading the so-called Air Force Capability Coalition (AFCC) and is making 18 F-16s available for the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania. In addition, 24 Dutch F-16 fighters will be transferred to Ukraine.