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Denmark’s military received four additional F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, completing more than half of its fleet and further strengthening its defense capabilities amid growing regional tensions and international obligations.

The jets were delivered from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Texas via the Azores in Portugal. The planes landed at Skrydstrup Air Base as their final destination in Denmark, bringing the total number of Denmark-based F-35s to 15, more than half of the 27 aircraft the country has ordered.

The Danish Ministry of Defense confirmed the delivery in a statement on Friday, noting that six of the remaining jets are stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona for pilot training, while the final six are expected to arrive by the end of 2026.

“With the arrival of the four aircraft yesterday, we have taken another step towards building up the combat capability of the F-35 aircraft,” said Maj. Gen. Jan Dam, commander of the Royal Danish Air Force.

Denmark’s acquisition of the F-35 represents a strategic shift in its defense posture, transitioning from its legacy F-16 fleet to fifth-generation fighter jets. However, the process has not been without complications.

The F-35 program globally faced significant delays throughout 2023 and early 2024 due to setbacks in the implementation of the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrade, a crucial software and hardware update required to enable full Block 4 capabilities in the stealth aircraft.

The delay affected Denmark’s rollout timeline and prompted urgent recalibrations within the Danish Ministry of Defense. Copenhagen decided in June 2024 to temporarily recall training aircraft from the United States to expand its local fleet and avoid capability gaps.

After months of uncertainty, the latest delivery signals a turning point. “The outlook now looks different,” the Ministry of Defense stated, referring to the improved delivery schedule and the operational integration of the jets into Denmark’s air defense system.

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen has been a vocal proponent of deepening Denmark’s commitment to the F-35 program, viewing the aircraft as a cornerstone of the country’s future air power.

Speaking to a Danish newspaper in March, Poulsen emphasized the country’s strategic reliance on a single, advanced fighter jet model. He hinted at plans to expand the fleet further: “Denmark is too small to operate several types of fighter jets,” he said, underlining the government’s intent to streamline operations with a unified F-35 platform.

His remarks came despite political tensions between Copenhagen and Washington, including provocative comments by U.S. President Donald Trump about the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland. Nevertheless, Denmark continues to prioritize transatlantic defense cooperation, viewing it as vital to national and regional security.

The new jets are already proving their operational value. The Danish Air Force began using the F-35s for real-world air policing missions earlier this year, replacing the aging F-16s that have served as the backbone of Danish air defense since the 1980s. In late March, the F-35s conducted their first interception of a Russian military aircraft over the Baltic Sea, marking a new era in Denmark’s deterrence and quick-response capabilities.

This mission came amid heightened NATO alertness in the wake of Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine and increased airspace violations in the Baltic region. Denmark, situated on NATO’s northeastern flank, plays a crucial role in the alliance’s defense posture, particularly in monitoring activity in the North and Baltic Seas.

Danish F-35s also participated in Ramstein Flag, a large-scale NATO exercise held from March 31 to April 11. Operating from Skrydstrup, the exercise was the jets’ first involvement in a major multinational training event, a significant step in integrating Denmark’s new air assets into alliance structures.

The modernization of Denmark’s fleet also ties into broader international security commitments. Copenhagen has pledged to donate several of its outgoing F-16s to Ukraine, as part of a trilateral coalition with the Netherlands and Norway. This contribution is intended to bolster Ukraine’s defense against the ongoing Russian invasion and aligns with Denmark’s strong support for Kyiv since the beginning of the war.

The exact timeline for the donation remains contingent on the operational status of the F-35s and the safe phasing out of the F-16s. According to the Ministry of Defense, Denmark plans to retire the F-16s from air defense roles by the end of 2025.

While the transition is progressing steadily, it is not without challenges. The F-35, despite its technological superiority, comes with a high price tag and complex logistical requirements. The aircraft’s reliance on continuous software updates and proprietary maintenance systems has raised questions in some quarters about long-term sustainability and operational independence.

Nonetheless, the Danish government remains committed to its strategic choice. As the defense environment in Europe continues to evolve rapidly, Denmark appears determined to maintain a robust, future-ready military posture. The arrival of these four F-35s signals both a technical achievement and a geopolitical statement: Denmark is preparing for the future of warfare while reinforcing its role as a reliable NATO ally.

With six more aircraft expected on Danish soil over the next 18 months, the Royal Danish Air Force is on track to become one of Europe’s more advanced air forces, capable of projecting power and supporting collective defense well into the 2030s.