Denmark Receives Three More F-35 Fighter Jets, Advancing Fleet Modernization
Denmark continues its transition to the fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35, receiving three more jets from the United States. The country now operates 11 F-35s on its soil, with plans to deploy the aircraft for Quick Reaction Alert missions by 2025
On January 12, three more fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets arrived in Denmark from the United States, marking another step in the gradual replacement of the country’s F-16 fleet. The transition to the new aircraft continues on schedule, demonstrating significant progress.
The new fighters followed the same route as the four F-35As delivered in December 2022. Departing from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, they made a stopover in the Azores before landing at Skrydstrup Air Base, home to Denmark’s Fighter Wing Skrydstrup. Located in southern Jutland, this base is the operational hub for the country’s F-16 and F-35 fleets.
With this delivery, Denmark now has 17 F-35s in its inventory, of which 11 are based on Danish soil. The remaining six are stationed at Luke Air Force Base for pilot and technician training. The first four F-35As arrived in Denmark in September 2023.
The Royal Danish Air Force (Flyvevåbnet) plans to begin using the F-35 for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) missions in 2025, gradually replacing the F-16 in this critical role. This will involve maintaining two F-35s ready to intercept foreign aircraft approaching Danish airspace at a moment’s notice.
Progress in the Transition
Since the arrival of the first four F-35s in September 2023, significant advancements have been made in integrating this new capability. While pilots and technicians complete training in the United States, Denmark continues to build its operational capacity, which involves extensive planning and preparation.
Denmark has purchased 27 F-35A aircraft, with six set to remain permanently at Luke Air Force Base for training purposes. The Flyvevåbnet plans to fully transition all tasks from the F-16 to the F-35 in the coming years, ensuring a seamless shift to the next generation of fighter jets.
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