Ukraine may receive only 6 F-16s from Norway no earlier than 2027 due to technical problems
Kyiv • UNN
Due to technical malfunction and lack of parts, the repair of Norwegian aircraft will take years. None of the promised aircraft have yet been delivered to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Norway has not yet transferred any F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, although it had previously announced such plans. According to NRK, at least six aircraft require lengthy repairs and may not reach the Armed Forces of Ukraine until 2027, writes UNN.
Details
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik confirmed that the deliveries have not yet taken place. At the same time, earlier, government officials claimed that aircraft had allegedly been transferred within the framework of the "fighter coalition," but without specifics.
Why the delay
Two aircraft used for training Ukrainian pilots in Denmark have been under repair in Belgium for over a year. Four more fighters were sent to the factory in disassembled condition due to their unsuitability for combat.
According to sources, Sabena Engineering has limited capacity, and work on the aircraft has not yet actually begun. Each of the fighters lacks about a hundred parts, which further complicates the restoration process.
Consequences for Ukraine
Even under an optimistic scenario, the preparation of the aircraft will take at least a year, which postpones their transfer until 2027. This means that the deliveries promised back in 2023 are significantly delayed.
Norway has become one of the countries in the "fighter coalition" that has not yet transferred any F-16s to Ukraine. Similar delays are also recorded in Belgium, where supplies also depend on the renewal of its own aircraft fleet.