Denmark ramps up airpower with 16 more F-35 stealth fighters, expanding fleet to 43 jets in historic military buildup that includes unmanned combat aircraft.
Denmark announced plans Friday to purchase 16 additional Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters, boosting the Nordic nation’s planned fleet to 43 of the advanced jets as part of a major military expansion aimed at strengthening NATO capabilities.
The Oct. 10 announcement follows Denmark’s existing order of 27 F-35s and represents a significant increase in the country’s air combat capacity. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the move would “deliver a historic strengthening of the Danish air force.”
Gen. Michael Hyldgaard, Denmark’s chief of defense, said the expanded fleet would see the “Danish contribution to NATO increased significantly.”
The Danish Ministry of Defence said it would begin negotiations with the F-35 Joint Program Office to finalize the acquisition details. Officials said discussions would include “possibilities for accelerated delivery of the new fighter jets to support a rapid upscaling of the Danish armed forces’ combat power.”
Denmark has received 15 F-35As to date, with six aircraft remaining at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for Royal Danish Air Force pilot training. The first jets arrived at Skrydstrup air base in September 2023.
The ministry said delivery of the remaining aircraft from the initial 27-jet order is expected in 2026. The fighters, which will replace Denmark’s aging Lockheed F-16AMs, are scheduled to reach full operational capability in 2027.
In addition to the manned fighters, Copenhagen revealed plans to acquire unmanned combat aircraft. The ministry said “a number of unmanned collaborative combat aircraft will also be acquired” but provided no further specifications or identified potential suppliers.
The F-35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter program and is a fifth-generation fighter.
Key Takeaways
- Denmark will purchase 16 additional F-35A fighters, expanding its planned fleet from 27 to 43 aircraft in what officials call a historic military strengthening.
- The Danish Ministry of Defence will negotiate accelerated delivery options with the F-35 Joint Program Office to rapidly boost combat capabilities.
- Delivery of the initial 27-jet order is expected to complete in 2026, with full operational capability planned for 2027.
- Denmark has received 15 F-35As to date, with the first arriving at Skrydstrup air base in September 2023. The jets will replace aging F-16AMs.
- Copenhagen also plans to acquire unmanned collaborative combat aircraft, though no details or suppliers have been identified.
