Days ago, Denmark’s Armed Forces confirmed the end of the F-16’s operational history with the Royal Danish Air Force, closing a chapter that spanned 46 years of service, during which the fighters born out of the “European Program” were deployed to various parts of the world. However, the Danish Fighting Falcons will remain operational thanks to their ongoing transfer to the air forces of Argentina and Ukraine.
A brief history
In the late 1970s, Denmark, like many European countries and NATO allies, faced the need to renew its combat aircraft fleet, which at the time was composed of U.S.-built F-104 Starfighters.
Against this backdrop, and considering the development of the then–General Dynamics F-16 as a new and advanced single-engine light fighter, Denmark, together with Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway, promoted what became known as the F-16 Program, also designated the European Participating Air Forces (EPAF). Through this initiative, they would become the first international operators of the new combat aircraft.
At the same time, various local companies from the countries involved, such as Fokker and SABCA, took part in the production of essential F-16 components, as well as in the aircraft’s assembly in Europe.
Regarding the Danish order, the original purchase consisted of a total of 46 single-seat F-16A and 12 twin-seat F-16B aircraft corresponding to Block 1, with deliveries beginning on January 28, 1980. Subsequently, this batch of aircraft was upgraded to Block 10 under the Pacer Loft I program.
However, both the number and capabilities of Denmark’s F-16s continued to evolve, as the country placed additional orders for Block 15 aircraft. These latter jets, unlike the initial batch, were intended to replace the aging Saab Draken. Although the original plan called for the acquisition of 24 new aircraft, in 1984 the purchase of 12 F-16A/B Block 15 fighters (eight single-seat and four twin-seat) was finalized.
It should also be noted that the United States carried out deliveries to Denmark to replace operational losses, drawing aircraft from the Air National Guard, as reflected in the deliveries of July 1994 and 1997, which included three and four aircraft, respectively.
Equally noteworthy are the successive upgrade programs implemented across the fleet, the most significant being the Mid-Life Update (MLU), along with the progressive integration of new equipment and capabilities, including some developed locally.
The end of an era
Following this brief background, and as Denmark moves forward with the induction of the new stealthy F-35 fighters, for which the procurement process of an additional batch from the United States is well advanced, and while these aircraft have already assumed tasks and roles previously carried out by the Fighting Falcons, the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence recently confirmed that the official retirement ceremony will take place on January 18.
The official event, led by Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, will be held at Skrydstrup Air Base. The venue will feature “… an F-16 that was previously in operational service and a scale model of an F-35 fighter”, in addition to the participation of generations of personnel and pilots who have written the aircraft’s history in Denmark.
The end of one story and the beginning of another
Although Denmark has brought the service life of its F-16s to a close, following similar confirmations made by the Netherlands in September 2024 and earlier by Norway, the Fighting Falcons remain in service and will continue their story with the air forces of Argentina and Ukraine.
In early December, Argentina received its first six F-16s, which arrived at Área Material Río Cuarto after completing their ferry flight from Denmark. In total, the South American country is incorporating 24 F-16A/B MLU aircraft, with deliveries expected to be completed by the end of 2028. It should also be noted that an additional aircraft, number 25, was delivered to be used as a ground training airframe, consisting of an F-16B Block 10 MLU.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force is already actively employing its Danish-transferred F-16s in missions that have evolved over time, ranging from air cover and air defense to strike and fire support tasks. Although no further details have been provided and no recent updates have been reported, the Danish government is believed to have already completed the transfer of 12 of the 19 aircraft committed to Ukraine.
*Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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