Ukraine Receives Second Batch of F-16 Fighter Jets From Denmark

Ukraine has received the second batch of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media.

‘The second batch of F-16s for Ukraine from Denmark is already in Ukraine. This is the leadership in protecting life that distinguishes Denmark... If all partners were as determined, we would have already managed to prevent Russian terror,’ Zelenskyy said.

He noted that this is an important additional reinforcement for the protection of Ukrainian skies and thanked Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the entire Danish people.

The President did not specify the number of aircraft.

In mid-November, during a visit to Kyiv, Frederiksen announced that Denmark had handed over the first six F-16 fighter jets out of 19 to Ukraine, and that the next two would be delivered in two more batches. 

In September, the Danish Minister of Defence said that Ukraine would receive the second batch of Danish fighter jets by the end of 2024.

Denmark, together with the Netherlands, leads the international ‘fighter jet coalition’ within the Ramstein format, which coordinates the efforts of various countries to strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force.

In addition, Denmark will allocate 1 billion Danish kroner (about $96 million) for the Ukrainian defence industry. This was previously announced by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen at a press conference in Ukraine.