Last Call for Norwegian F-16s: Ukraine to Receive Entire Fleet in 2025

Intensifying Air Support

Norway has confirmed that all operational F-16 fighter jets will be handed over to Ukraine by the end of 2025.

This was reported by Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik to NRK. The delivery schedule is proceeding as planned, but specific numbers are being withheld for operational security reasons.

The Norwegian F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon jets were phased out in 2021, but six of them remain ready and combat-capable.

The first units were dispatched in the summer of 2024, and the rest will follow throughout the year.

An International Collaboration in Several Phases

The handover is part of a wider international coalition with Denmark and the Netherlands taking lead roles in training Ukrainian pilots and technicians.

Denmark has already delivered 12 of the promised 19 jets, while the Netherlands has committed to contributing 24.

Belgium has also joined the ranks of donor countries, planning to hand over two jets this year — with the caveat that one will primarily be used for spare parts. Once the Belgian F-35s are operational, further transfers of F-16s to Ukraine are expected.

From Support to Strategy

The numerous donations of fighter jets represent more than just military support — they are part of a strategic transformation of Ukraine’s air defenses.

By integrating advanced western fighter jets like the F-16 into their forces, Ukraine is making a decisive move away from Soviet-era technology towards closer cooperation with NATO standards.

“We are determined to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom and territorial integrity,” Sandvik stated, according to NRK.

Combat-Ready Jets with a New Future

Although the F-16s are not the latest generation, they are still technologically superior to much of the equipment Ukraine previously operated.

Their arrival therefore marks not only a tactical upgrade but also a psychological boost to Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

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