Europe's news in English

COPY LINK

UKRAINE

Norway to send two F-16s to Denmark for Ukrainian pilot training

Norway's government said on Wednesday it would send two F-16 fighter jets to Denmark to help train Ukrainian pilots in the use of the planes, which are highly anticipated by Kyiv.

Published: 3 January 2024 17:11 CET

Norway to send two F-16s to Denmark for Ukrainian pilot training

A photo of an F-16 for illustration purposes. Photo: JUNI KRISWANTO / AFP

Last year, Norway, along with countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands, that it would be donating F-16s — that had been retired to be replaced with the more modern F-35 — to Ukraine.

However, Oslo has yet to announce either the number of F-16s to be donated — expected to be just a handful — or a delivery schedule.

“Allied partners and states will work day and night with the goal of establishing a lasting and modern air force for Ukraine,” Norway’s Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said in a statement.

READ ALSO: Denmark expects to send first F-16s to Ukraine in spring 2024

The Scandinavian country is already supplying training personnel, with around 10 instructors.

The Norwegian F-16s will be deployed, for an as of yet undetermined period, to the Danish Skrydstrup air base — where Ukrainian pilots are trained as
part a multinational operation.

In his New Year’s address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s “pilots are already mastering F-16 jets, and we will definitely see them in our skies,” as he vowed that Russian forces would feel Ukraine’s “wrath” in 2024.

Denmark is likely to be able to deliver the first of the F-16 fighter aircraft pledged for donation to Ukraine in the spring, the Danish government said last October.

Member comments

Anonymous - 5 January 2024 at 23:21 CET

Yay Denmark & Norway! Good Job!

Log in here to leave a comment.

Become a Member to leave a comment.

Norway uncovers Russian agents amid sabotage concerns

Torgils Lutro, head of PST Vest, disclosed in an interview with the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) that these agents may have been preparing for acts of sabotage.

NRK noted that potential targets could have included Haakonsvern, northern Europe’s largest naval base, as well as crucial oil, gas, and power facilities in the region.

Lutro said that Russian agents were focused on gathering intelligence on critical infrastructure, military installations, and Norwegian preparedness routines.

While the exact number of exposed agents remains undisclosed, the PST has previously warned about the risks posed by Russian espionage and that espionage activity has heightened since Russia invaded Ukraine.

“In Vestland (County), we have strongly suspected, but have also uncovered, hostile and unwanted Russian intelligence activities since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022,” Lutro said.

Russia’s motives

The PST Vest chief suggested that Russia aimed to tarnish Norway’s reputation among its allies.

“It’s evident that one of Russia’s objectives is to portray us in a negative light. They seek to demonstrate that we lack control over our own affairs or that we’re unable to support our allies during future crises,” he said.

Following the war in Ukraine, Norwegian authorities have expelled over 15 people from the Russian embassy in Norway over suspected espionage.

This has prompted Russia to reassess its intelligence personnel and resources, according to the PST.

“Identifying these agents isn’t straightforward. They blend into society, which is part of their job. They may not even hold Russian citizenship, but are motivated by factors like money or threats,” Lutro said.

The PST has consistently highlighted Russian intelligence activities as a growing threat to Norway’s security in its annual threat assessments, including the most recent one in 2024.

“We’ve employed various methods to uncover these activities, and in some instances, we have a clear understanding of how they operate,” Lutro said.

Url copied to clipboard!