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Norway to donate 6 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, first to arrive in 2024

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Norway to donate 6 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, first to arrive in 2024
Norway's Defense Minister Bjoern Arild Gram sits in the back of an F-16 aircraft at Bodø airport, Norway, where the final preparations are being made before two Norwegian F-16 aircraft are sent to Denmark to be used in the training of Ukrainian pilots on Jan. 3, 2024. (Jan Langhaug / NTB / AFP via Getty Images)

Norway decided to donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, with the deliveries starting this year, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a press release on July 10.

The announcement came as NATO allies gathered in Washington for an annual summit, with the assistnace for Ukraine on top of the agenda.

Oslo confirmed its intention to donate some of its U.S.-made F-16s to Ukraine already last year but has not revealed their numbers until now. The Norwegian media reported in April that the country could provide Ukraine with 22 fighter jets, though only 12 of them were believed to be serviceable.

Norway has phased out its F-16 fleet in favor of more modern F-35 jets.

"Ukraine's ability to defend itself against air attacks is crucial in its battle against Russia. Norway has now decided to donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine," Stoere said.

"We plan to start delivering the aircraft in the course of 2024."

Apart from Norway, Ukraine is expected to receive over 70 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, and Belgium. The first Danish jets are expected to arrive already this summer, and the deliveries are expected to continue in the following years.

F-16s for Ukraine: When will they arrive and what can they do?
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Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

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