The second batch of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark has arrived in Ukraine.

This was stated by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

He mentioned that the aircraft provided by Denmark from the first batch are already intercepting Russian missiles and protecting Ukrainian infrastructure.

“Our air shield has been further strengthened. If all partners were as decisive, we would have already made Russian terror impossible,” the president emphasized.

In total, Denmark has pledged to supply Ukraine with 19 fighter jets, of which 6 were delivered earlier. The remaining 13 aircraft are promised to be delivered in two batches.

As previously reported by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, since August of last year, the country has been participating in training Ukrainian pilots for these aircraft. According to the Prime Minister, organizing this was challenging, but Denmark managed to accomplish it.

The Path of F-16 to Ukraine

Back in May 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden approved plans to train Ukrainian pilots on American F-16 fighter jets. Subsequently, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium announced that they would transfer aircraft to Ukraine, particularly for exercises to be held in Denmark and Romania.

The first group of Ukrainian pilots completed training in the U.S. in May of this year, while Denmark trained 50 Ukrainian specialists for F-16 maintenance.

In July, former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that the promise of F-16s appearing in Ukrainian skies by the summer of 2024 was “already fulfilled”, although there was no official confirmation of their arrival at that time.

Later, Bloomberg reported on the arrival of the first fighter jets, and a few days later, this was confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. In August, it was officially announced that F-16s have already been involved in repelling air attacks.