Most F-16s from Denmark already in Ukraine, defence minister says

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov announced that "most of the promised F-16s" from Denmark have already been delivered to Ukraine, with the remaining aircraft set to arrive later this year.

In his update on Facebook, Umerov did not specify the exact number of warplanes delivered but confirmed that Denmark had pledged a total of 19 F-16s, Caliber.Az reports per Ukrainian media.

According to a Danish Foreign Ministry update from August 2024, the first batch of these aircraft arrived in Ukraine the same month.

Umerov's announcement followed the outcomes of the latest Ramstein format meeting, held a day prior. On February 6, Umerov also revealed that Ukraine had received another batch of F-16s from the Netherlands, as well as the first batch of French Mirage 2000 fighters. While the exact number of aircraft was not disclosed, these new additions are set to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

The Mirage 2000s, upgraded with a ground attack package, are expected to enhance Ukraine’s ground strike capabilities. Media analysts, including a former F-16 pilot, have noted that these fighter jets could significantly improve Ukraine’s effectiveness in ground engagements.

While Ukrainian F-16s were previously believed to be used exclusively for air defense missions, recent footage has shown one of the jets loaded with precision-guided munitions, suggesting a shift in their operational role. The footage also featured the F-16 with air-to-air self-defense missiles, indicating that the aircraft may now be involved in a broader range of missions, including ground strikes.

The Netherlands had previously confirmed that Ukrainian F-16s donated by the Dutch could be flown over Russian territory, as long as Kyiv adheres to international humanitarian law, also known as the laws of armed conflict (LOAC).

By Vafa Guliyeva