Norway has still not handed over a single F-16 to Ukraine: what is holding up the fighter jets
This was reported by Defense Express, citing statements from Norwegian officials.
Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik confirmed that, as of April 2026, the country had not transferred a single F-16 to Ukraine.
This came against the backdrop of earlier statements. Back in January 2025, the then head of the Norwegian Defence Department, Bjørn Arild Gram, said that the first Norwegian F-16 had already been delivered and that everything was proceeding according to plan.
A few weeks ago, the Chief of the Norwegian General Staff, Eirik Kristoffersen, also stated that the F-16s transferred by Norway to Ukraine were already an important part of Ukraine’s air defence.
However, analysts point out that in this instance, the reference was to the so-called fighter jet coalition, and Kristoffersen did not specify exactly how many of the aircraft were Norwegian or whether they had been transferred at all. This is precisely why Defense Express concluded that Norway is facing difficulties with the actual delivery of F-16s to Ukraine.
What is delaying the transfer of the aircraft
According to NRK, even the two Norwegian fighter jets on which Ukrainian pilots were trained in Denmark were eventually sent to the Sabena Engineering aircraft repair plant in Belgium. They have been there for over a year now.
A further four aircraft, which Norway also planned to transfer to Ukraine, turned out to be unfit for service. Last April, they were also sent, in dismantled condition, to the same Belgian facility. In total, Oslo had planned to transfer six fighter jets to Kyiv.
Sabena Engineering stated that there are serious capacity issues regarding the maintenance and preparation of the F-16s. They noted that preparing the aircraft for Ukraine would take a year if work were to begin immediately.
Against this backdrop, analysts suggest that even though the Norwegian F-16s have been in Belgium for nearly a year, work on them may not yet have begun.
Equipment shortages could be a separate issue. An adviser to the Ukrainian Air Force told the publication that each of the four fighter jets is missing around a hundred parts. Sourcing these components is likely to take additional time, further delaying the handover of the aircraft to Ukraine.
What is known about the F-16
Earlier, the US showcased an F-16 equipped with a powerful strike and electronic warfare arsenal. This was a combat configuration combining long-range strike capabilities, electronic warfare, self-defence and extended range.
The US has also announced the cost of training F-16 pilots for Argentina. The contract for such training is valued at $33.2 million. Its basic term is two years, with the option to extend for a third year.
