Two Norwegian F-16s will soon be sent to Denmark to train Ukrainian fighter pilots, according to Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gramm.
Ukrainian authorities have long sought to use the fighter jets to modernize their air force and improve their defense capabilities in the wake of a 2022 Russian invasion.
Earlier this week, Graham visited Bodø Central Air Base (ENBO) in northern Norway, where two donated F-16s were being prepared before being flown to Denmark for training. Graham said the Norwegian Air Force has already sent 10 instructors to the Danish Air Force Fighter Wing in Sklydstrup, Denmark, where the training will take place.
“we Thanks to my Norwegian friend We thank them for their unwavering support,” the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said in a message on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
British defense officials confirmed last week that the first group of Ukrainian pilots had completed basic training with the Royal Air Force and were learning how to fly fighter jets in Denmark.
“Allies and countries will work day and night towards the goal of establishing a permanent and modern air force in Ukraine,” Gram said.
The donated jets are part of an international training effort led by the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands, and follow Norway’s pledge last month to donate about $31 million in national advanced surface-to-air missile system air defense to Ukraine. be.
In November, the Romanian and Dutch ministries of defense opened the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) at the Romanian Air Force’s 86th Air Base to train Romanian and Ukrainian pilots. At the time, five Dutch F-16s had been delivered to the center, and the Netherlands had pledged to provide up to 18 F-16s for flight training.
“Norway, following Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands, has decided to donate F-16s to Ukraine, and pilot training and education is an important part of the donation,” the Norwegian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Wednesday. Stated.
Ukrainian engineers will receive training in F-16 maintenance in Denmark as well as the United States and Belgium, Norwegian defense officials said.