Danish Defense Minister Trolls Lund Pulsen says his country will stop training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets.
At a meeting with his Norwegian counterpart Bjørn Arild Gram, Poulsen explained that Denmark would no longer train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s starting in 2025, as his country is switching to F-35s.
The new planes will be deployed at the Skridstrup air base, where Ukrainian pilots are currently training. According to him, almost 20 Ukrainian F-16 pilots will be trained to complete the training program by the end of 2024. However, Denmark will continue to support Ukrainian pilots in other countries.
“Today, Ukrainian pilots are also undergoing training in Romania, but we have not yet decided whether Denmark will contribute to this,” said the Defense Minister.
Eight Ukrainian tactical aviation pilots began their training in Denmark in August 2023. In addition, another 65 specialists are to be trained in the maintenance and repair of F-16 aircraft.