Today’s news / Ukraine receives first F-16 Jets
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, visited Denmark in August 2023, where he and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen climbed aboard an F-16 fighter jet. (Archive photo) Photo: Presidential Office Of Ukraine/Ritzau Scanpix

Ukraine receives first F-16 Jets

According to unnamed sources cited by Bloomberg on Wednesday, Ukraine has received the initial batch of F-16 fighter jets pledged by several countries, including Denmark. The exact number delivered is described as ‘small,’ and the jets are from one or more NATO countries. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had promised 19 F-16s to Ukraine during President Zelenskyj’s visit in August last year. Overall, Ukraine is promised a total of 79 American-built fighter jets from nations such as Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium, with a delivery timeline set for the end of July. Ukrainian pilots have trained in the West, including Denmark, to operate the F-16s, though it’s unclear if they can immediately deploy them. Denmark’s Defense Ministry declined to confirm if the delivered jets include the ones they pledged.