The Royal Danish Air Force has received three new multifunctional F-35A fighter jets, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense. The aircraft arrived at Skrydstrup Air Base on January 12, bringing the total number of operational units in Denmark to 11.
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The trio departed from Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, USA, with a stopover in the Azores, in the Atlantic, before completing their journey to Denmark.
Gradual Fleet Expansion
Despite the arrival of the new aircraft, six F-35As will remain at Luke Air Force Base in the US to continue training Danish pilots and technical personnel.
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Denmark, a participant in the development program of the fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets since 1997, has ordered 27 units to replace its F-16 fleet. The final delivery is scheduled for 2026, when all aircraft will be based at Skrydstrup Air Base, where the necessary infrastructure has already been established to operate these modern jets.
History of the F-35 Program in Denmark
- 1997: Denmark joins the F-35 fighter jet development program.
- 2016: Following an evaluation between 2013 and 2016, the government recommends the purchase of 27 F-35As.
- 2017: Parliament approves the program’s budget, scheduled to run until 2026.
- 2021: The first F-35A is delivered on April 7.
- 2022: The fifth and sixth jets are delivered in July.
- 2023: The seventh jet is announced in May.
- 2026: The last aircraft will be delivered, completing the contract.
Training in the US and Operations in Denmark
In the initial phase, Danish F-35s were stationed at a base in Arizona, where training for pilots and ground personnel continues. As deliveries progress, Skrydstrup Air Base will become the primary operational center for F-35As in Denmark, marking a new era in the country’s air defense capabilities.
Source and images: forsvaret. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
