COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Norway will donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian attacks, its prime minister said. Jonas Gahr Shop said on Wednesday, adding that the fighter jets will be important for Kiev.
Ukraine has long been asking for an advanced fighter jet to give it an edge over Russian firepower.
No date has yet been announced for when Norway will donate the six fighter jets, but Gahr Støre said: “We aim to start the donations in 2024.”
He said that Kiev’s “ability to defend itself against air attacks is absolutely crucial in its defensive struggle against Russia.”
Last year Gahr Støre said during a visit to Kiev that Norway would donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but he did not specify how many.
After 42 years of service, the Nordic NATO member state phased out its aging fleet of F-16 fighter jets in 2021, replacing them with new F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets.
Norway is the third European country after Netherlands and Denmark to donate F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.
Oil-rich Norway is one of the world’s largest donors to Ukraine.