When will Norwegian F-16s appear in Ukrainian skies: What prime minister says
Illustrative photo: Norwegian F-16s will protect Ukraine’s skies (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Norway has already delivered the promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. However, the aircraft are still undergoing repairs, states Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during a press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to Støre, Norway provided Ukraine with aircraft that had not been in active service in the Norwegian Armed Forces for several years, as the country has already transitioned to the more advanced F-35 jets.
Therefore, in order for Ukrainian forces to begin operating the Norwegian F-16s, the aircraft need to be repaired and prepared.
The prime minister noted that other countries supplying F-16s to Ukraine delivered them directly from their active combat fleets so they could be used more quickly by Ukrainian pilots.
"These are now Ukraine's ownership, and they are being repaired and prepared by technicians in Belgium through a deal that has been made with the US and with Ukraine. And I think that the first of those planes will be operational soon, but this is now part of the Ukrainian air force," Støre stressed.
Rumors surrounding Norwegian F-16s
NRK previously reported that six F-16 fighter jets, which Norway officially transferred to Ukraine in 2024–2025, have still not been used in combat missions.
All the aircraft are currently in repair workshops of the Sabena company in Belgium due to their poor technical condition and a lack of capacity for maintenance.
Amid expectations of strengthened air defense capabilities, it emerged that four of the jets were delivered to Belgium in disassembled condition, as they were unable to fly there on their own.
According to experts, the aircraft are missing around 100 key components, and the process of assembly and modernization could take about another year.
