Norway is set to send two F-16 fighter jets to Denmark to assist in training Ukrainian Armed Forces pilots in their operation of these aircraft. Reuters reports on this move, citing the country’s Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram. The decision follows Norway’s earlier contribution of ten instructors who travelled to Denmark to work alongside Danish and Ukrainian personnel and build hands-on experience with the F-16 training syllabus.
Minister Gram emphasized that the collaborative effort with Denmark forms a larger framework of allied support, aimed at ensuring Ukrainian pilots acquire the essential skills and procedures required to operate F-16 fighters safely and effectively. The arrangement aligns with ongoing Western efforts to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities through a combination of training, exercises, and eventual aircraft integration where feasible within alliance guidelines.
Concurrent with the training program, the Norwegian air force has shifted its own fleet away from F-16s, replacing them with state-of-the-art F-35 fighters. This transition reflects Norway’s move to modernize its air power inventory and to maintain a high level of readiness while contributing to international training initiatives that benefit Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The broader trend among allied air forces is to leverage newer platforms while maintaining robust training pipelines for Ukrainian personnel and partner nations alike.
Earlier statements from Yuriy Ignat, a spokesman for Ukraine’s Air Force, indicated that Denmark had begun training Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16. This development underscores a coordinated regional approach in which multiple allied countries participate in formal training programs designed to accelerate the integration of the F-16 into Ukrainian aviation operations. The training effort includes not only flight crews but also instructors who can transfer critical knowledge to ensure safe, effective, and precise use of the aircraft in complex operational environments.
Preparations for Ukrainian forces to operate F-16 jets involve more than flight training alone. Behind-the-scenes work encompasses ground crew readiness, mission control capabilities, and the maintenance and engineering expertise required to support high-performance fighters. Training activities extend beyond Denmark to the United Kingdom, where specialists are being prepared in areas such as aircraft maintenance, ground support, and flight operations. This multi-country approach reflects a comprehensive effort to create a durable, scalable training ecosystem for Ukrainian air operations, with emphasis on interoperability and standardization of procedures across allied forces.
Earlier reports from Kyiv noted that Western allies had paused or slowed certain discussions about delivering F-16 aircraft to Ukraine, focusing instead on building up training and support resources. The current changes indicate a renewed emphasis on cultivating trained personnel and the necessary infrastructure to operate the jets, should future political and strategic circumstances permit broader transfers. In the interim, the emphasis remains on maximizing the effectiveness of existing capabilities through professional development, joint exercises, and shared best practices among partner nations.