![]() ![]() The company was wiling to "backfill need as it arises with new F-16 builds," and to carry out "any modifications to F-16s as well as training, equipment and systems," Frank St. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin said the company was "standing by" to provide training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s if the aircraft are sent to Ukraine. However, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier this month that the training of Ukrainian personnel on F-16s was already underway. That is currently under review," he said. "We have received a request from Denmark to support F-16 training, which would be expected. On June 22, Pentagon Press Secretary Brigadier General Pat Ryder told the media that Denmark, along with the Netherlands, were "in the lead, in terms of developing the training program for Ukrainian F-16 pilots." "I won't rule out that at some point it may be necessary to look at the contribution of fighter jets," he said on February 24. Lund Poulsen indicated back in February, on the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, that Denmark would consider sending F-16 jets to the war-torn country. ![]() Experts have told Newsweek that Ukraine would need around 100 well-operated F-16s to have a significant impact on its air force. Ukraine has previously asked for 100 Western-made jets. The Danish air force also has six F-35As. "We will also consider whether we should make a concrete donation to Ukraine of the Danish F-16 fighters, and how many there should be," Lund Poulsen said.ĭenmark has around 30 operational F-16s according to this year's Military Balance, the annual report on the world's armed forces compiled by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think tank. The newer fighter jets will be operational in Denmark's military by 2025, he added. ![]() HENNING BAGGER/AFP via Getty Imagesĭenmark is accelerating the replacement of its F-16 fleet with F-35s by two years, Lund Poulsen told Danish broadcaster DR. Copenhagen has "taken the step of starting a training and further education effort for the Ukrainian pilots," Denmark's acting defense minister said on Monday. Danish F-16 fighters are seen during the Danish Air Show 2014 at Karup Air Base on June 22, 2014. ![]()
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