The first F-35 Lightning II fighter jets have arrived in Denmark to replace the F-16 Fighting Falcon to be transferred to Ukraine

Denmark is one of three countries that have officially confirmed that they will transfer F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to Ukraine. They will be replaced by fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The first fighters have already arrived in the Scandinavian country.

Here's What We Know

The day before, we wrote that four F-35s were spotted in the Azores, Portugal, where they landed before flying to Denmark. On 14 September 2023, the fifth-generation fighters arrived at Skrydstrup base (Skrydstrup). The journey from the US took two days.

Denmark has ordered 27 F-35A conventional take-off and landing aircraft worth $3bn. Three fighter jets remain in the US and are used to train Royal Air Force pilots. If Lockheed Martin can fix the Technology Refresh 3 upgrade problems, deliveries will continue into the second half of 2024.

The fifth-generation fighters will be the replacement for older F-16 aircraft. Last month, Denmark officially confirmed that it would hand over 19 Fighting Falcons to Ukraine. The delay in F-35 deliveries will not affect this.

Source: Forsvaret