Ukraine May Receive Danish F-16s if U.S. Approves the Handover

Denmark is ready to give an unspecified number of F-16 jets out of some 30 aircraft in service but only with U.S. approval, Acting Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said.

President Joe Biden has earlier said he would OK handling over F-16s to Ukraine provided these aircraft came from a third country.

"Ukraine needs planes. More than ever, if they are to win their fight. This also applies to Danish F-16 combat aircraft," Poulsen was quoted as saying by Danish media Radio4.

Ukraine has received 14 MiG-29s from Poland and 13 from Slovakia, but has said it requires at least 48 F-16s to liberate territory from Russia.

Denmark reportedly has 43 F-16s, including 30 on active duty, but the fleet is being replaced by more modern F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

Related news: Ukraine Needs a Squadron of F-16s to Scare Away Russian Jets

According to a joint plan with the Netherlands, Ukrainian pilots would receive F-16 training at the Danish Air Force base Skrødstrup in Southern Jutland, the minister told TV2 channel recently.

Denmark and the Netherlands are members of the so-called "fighter jet initiative" aimed at providing advanced Western weapons and training to Ukraine's military.