Media: US Authorises Three Countries To Transfer 65 F-16 Fighter Jets To Ukraine

The cost of such a military aid package is $1.68 billion.

The United States has authorised Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands to transfer 65 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to Ukraine. The approximate cost of such a military aid package is $1.68 billion, including spare engines, simulators, manuals, tools and various materials for the operation and maintenance of the F-16. This is reported by Zona Militar.

In particular, Denmark will provide six F-16 Block 10 aircraft, thirteen F-16 Block 15 aircraft, additional engines and support equipment.

"The value of the transfer is estimated at 87.5 million US dollars. It is worth noting that the Danish government was not only one of the initiators of providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters, but also one of the few countries that provide training for pilots and technical staff," the report said.

As for Norway, Ukraine is to receive up to 22 F-16 Block 10/15 aircraft, as well as engines, auxiliary equipment, test stands, tools, maintenance materials, simulators, spare parts, manuals and technical documentation from this state.

"The initial acquisition cost is approximately $1.326 billion. Norway has provided several F-16 aircraft to train Ukrainian crews and has also formed a core group of instructors to support the Danish effort," Zona Militar noted.

At the same time, Norwegian publication Nettavisen clarified that not all of these 22 fighter jets are serviceable, but can be used as spare parts for other aircraft.

As Nettavisen suggests, 12 of the 22 aircraft approved for transfer to Ukraine are fully operational, while the remaining ten are in an unknown condition.

"The government has decided to transfer several F-16 aircraft to Ukraine as part of multinational co-operation. The exact number and timing of the transfer to Ukraine will be determined in dialogue with Ukraine and other donor countries," Norwegian Defence Ministry spokesman Lars Gjemble responded to the publication.

After all, the Netherlands was another main supporter of the project to deliver F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian air force.

"In the first months, the Dutch government was ready to hand over its F-16s to third parties to replace the Soviet-origin combat aircraft. Although this initiative did not materialise, it was the first step for the project of the previously mentioned European countries," Zona Militar noted.

The publication specified that in the last week of March, the Dutch Defence Ministry announced the purchase of air-to-air missiles for the F-16s handed over to Ukraine. The cost of this initiative is 150 million US dollars.