Denmark is to purchase an additional 16 F-35 fighter jets, according to a new decision by the government and the parties behind the Danish defence agreement. This means that the total order now amounts to 43 aircraft.
– With the acquisition of 16 additional F-35 aircraft, we are delivering a historic reinforcement of the Danish Air Force and defence, says Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen in a press release from the Danish Ministry of Defence.
The defence currently has 15 F-35 aircraft at its disposal, of which six are based at a training facility in the USA. The original order of 27 aircraft is expected to be fully operational by 2027. The delivery of the 16 new aircraft is to take place as soon as possible.
The Ministry of Defence is now initiating dialogue with the international F-35 programme office to clarify details, including possibilities for expedited delivery.
– Expanding the F-35 fleet is an important decision in the build-up of the Danish defence. It increases our combat power, flexibility, and contribution to NATO, says Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard.
The acquisition also includes spare parts, threat and flight simulators, training systems, drag chutes, logistics solutions, new personnel, as well as new unmanned combat aircraft, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).