Denmark retrieves six F-35 fighter jets due to delays. Denmark has invested in 27 F-35 fighter jets, of which four have already been delivered to Skrydstrup Air Base. Due to delayed deliveries, a majority in the Danish Parliament has decided to retrieve six F-35 fighter jets from the USA, which have so far been used for training. This is stated in a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen (V) states that he already in the spring requested the Defence to investigate alternative solutions if the delivery of the new TR-3 configured F-35 fighter jets was delayed. “It is very positive that we have now found a solution so that the delays from the manufacturer affect us as little as possible,” says Troels Lund Poulsen in the statement.
The delivery of TR-3 configured fighter jets, equipped with significant hardware and software upgrades, has been delayed multiple times by the manufacturer Lockheed Martin. So far, Denmark has received four fighter jets for Skrydstrup Air Base in the fall of 2023, and six more are stationed at Luke Air Force Base in the USA. It is these six jets that will now be retrieved to Denmark.
The retrieval of the six fighter jets is intended to ensure that the operational milestones for the introduction of the F-35 into the Danish defence can be maintained. This will also increase the training level for pilots and support personnel in Skrydstrup, while pilot training in the USA can continue as planned. However, the retrieved fighter jets are in TR-2 configuration, an older version that differs from the more advanced TR-3 fighter jets, which will be delivered later in a limited version for training purposes.
The rest of the ordered fighter jets are expected to be delivered by 2027. “The F-35 fighter jets are a major investment for Denmark, which will have implications for our defence and security for many years to come, and it is crucial that we closely monitor the introduction,” emphasizes Troels Lund Poulsen.
It is not expected that the retrieval will affect Denmark’s donation of F-16 jets to Ukraine or the country’s obligations to NATO. However, it is still unclear when the older F-16 jets will be sent to Ukraine. Ritzau is trying to get a comment from the Minister of Defence.