Norway has formally transferred the first of six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The aircraft are currently undergoing maintenance and preparation for combat use.
Source: Gazeta.UA
This was stated by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a joint briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on April 14.
According to him, the aircraft are already owned by Ukraine but are undergoing repair and technical maintenance abroad.
“In Belgium, repairs and maintenance of the aircraft are currently ongoing. These aircraft are already owned by Ukraine, and they are being serviced by technicians in Belgium under an agreement concluded with the participation of the United States and Ukraine. I believe the first of them will soon be ready to carry out missions,” Støre said, without naming exact timelines.
The six fighter jets transferred by Norway require significant technical upgrades before they can be put into service with the Ukrainian Air Force.
It is worth recalling that back in August 2023, during a visit to Kyiv, the Norwegian prime minister announced the decision to transfer six F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.