Denmark ends F-16 service and transfers fighter jets to allies
The Royal Danish Air Force is officially ending the operation of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, summing up the 46-year history of these aircraft's service. This was announced a few days ago by the country's Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, according to Zona Militar. Instead of the F-16, Denmark is switching entirely to fifth-generation F-35 multi-role fighters.
At the same time, the Danish F-16s are not being decommissioned permanently. The aircraft, which have been removed from the national combat fleet, are being transferred to allies — Ukraine and Argentina — under existing international agreements.
The history of the Danish F-16s began in the late 1970s, when the country was looking for a replacement for its ageing F-104 Starfighter fighters. Together with Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway, Denmark joined the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) programme, becoming one of the first foreign operators of this American aircraft. The initial order included 46 single-seat F-16As and 12 two-seat F-16B Block 1s. The first aircraft entered service on 28 January 1980.
The fleet was subsequently modernised several times: the aircraft were upgraded to Block 10 and Block 15 standards, and later underwent the MLU (Mid-Life Update) programme, which significantly extended their service life and expanded their combat capabilities. It is thanks to these upgrades that the F-16 has remained a key element of Danish combat aviation for decades.
The official end of F-16 operations in Denmark will be marked on 18 January at Skrydstrup Air Base. The ceremony, led by Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, will be attended by several generations of military personnel and pilots. The event will feature both the F-16, which is being decommissioned, and the F-35, a symbol of the transition to a new stage in the development of combat aviation.
Despite being decommissioned in Denmark, the F-16s continue to serve actively abroad. In early December, Argentina received the first six of 24 F-16A/B MLU fighters, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028. Ukraine, in turn, is already using the F-16s transferred by Denmark in combat missions — from air defence to strike operations and fire support. According to available information, Denmark has already transferred 12 of the 19 promised aircraft to Ukraine.
F-16 Fighting Falcon, Denmark, F-35 fighter jets, Ukrainian aviation, military aid, war
