Norway will send two F-16 fighter jets to assist in training Ukrainian pilots on the US-made aircraft in Denmark, Reuters reported, citing the Norwegian defence minister Bjørn Arild Gram, on 3 January.
According to Ukraine’s Air Forces, the F-16 is expected to boost Ukraine’s air force in the war with Russia and become Ukraine’s main combat aircraft.
In his speech, Gram said Norway had already sent ten instructors to Denmark to help train Ukrainian pilots. By sending jets and instructors, Norway joins other nations, including Denmark and the Netherlands, that have pledged support for training Ukrainian pilots.
According to the minister, the Norwegian Air Force replaced its F-16s with fifth-generation F-35 fighters. In 2023, Norway said it would join Denmark, the Netherlands, and others in donating aircraft.
On 22 December, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Dutch government would deliver 18 F-16 jets to Ukraine. At the beginning of 2024, France will join the training of Ukrainian pilots on Western multi-role fighters, the French Ministry of Defense announced back in December.
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