As it continues to retire its F-16s, which are being transferred to Argentina and Ukraine, the Royal Danish Air Force has confirmed that its new stealth F-35A fighters, acquired from the United States, are being prepared to replace the Fighting Falcons in interception missions and tasks. This development was announced on March 17 during an official ceremony in a speech by the Chief of the Danish Armed Forces, General Michael Hyldgaard.
Currently, the Royal Danish Air Force is undergoing a comprehensive transition and modernization of its combat fleet. This is due to the acquisition of a total of 27 new stealth F-35 fighters from the U.S. to replace its current F-16s. Among the latest milestones in this process was the arrival of three fifth-generation aircraft in Denmark this past January, which were received at Flyvestation Skrydstrup, located in the Vojens region. These aircraft add to the four that arrived in late 2024.
The arrival and integration of more F-35As mark progress in the replacement of the F-16s, including efforts in training and preparing new pilots and support personnel, as well as the necessary upgrades to infrastructure required to sustain the new platform.
This was highlighted in recent remarks by the head of the Air Command, Major General Jan Dam, who stated: “The construction of the large F-35 complex, the outfitting of buildings, the training of mechanics, planners, armorers, and pilots—all of this in parallel with the retirement of the F-16—have been challenges we have had to face. But our partners and our personnel have worked with determination and professionalism to make this possible. And now, here we are in 2025, with a new air combat capability ready to deliver combat power. I am proud of that.”
The combination of the arrival of more stealth aircraft and the maturation of support and sustainment capabilities means that the F-35s will soon assume the air interception alert duties carried out by Danish F-16s for decades.
According to the Chief of the Danish Armed Forces, this milestone will take place starting April 1, as he noted: “It’s a great day. Denmark should be proud. The Armed Forces should be proud, and especially the Skrydstrup Fighter Wing should be proud. It has been a long and complex process, and many people have been involved in getting us here. Thank you for your efforts.”
However, this process will not be immediate, as the Air Force indicated; it will be carried out gradually, with both fighter platforms complementing each other in an initial phase. In this regard, it was detailed: “The transfer of the air interception alert service will take effect on April 1, at which point the Air Force will be able to deploy the F-35s to intercept aircraft from foreign nations and defend the sovereignty of Danish airspace. The F-35s will not be used in all instances from day one, but will gradually replace the F-16s,” according to the March 17 statement.
As for the future of Denmark’s F-16s, they are being divided between Argentina and Ukraine. First, the South American country has already received its first unit, an F-16BM Block 10, which will be used as a ground-based trainer for new pilots and support crews, including mechanics, armorers, and engineers. Later this year, Argentina is expected to receive the first flight-capable batch from Denmark, beginning the delivery schedule of a total of 24 F-16A/B MLU Block 15 aircraft.
Lastly, in the case of Ukraine, the country began receiving Danish F-16 fighters in August of last year. One of the latest updates, reported by Denmark’s Minister of Defence, confirmed that 12 out of the 19 committed fighter aircraft have already been transferred.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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