Last week, fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II fighters from the Royal Danish Air Force were used for the first time as part of the Rapid Deployment Force to identify and track a Russian Il-20M Coot-A surveillance aircraft. The interception took place over the waters of the Baltic Sea.
According to Danish authorities, “…Danish F-35 pilots were scrambled from Skrydstrup Air Base. Upon reaching the Baltic Sea, they were able to visually confirm that the aircraft, which had previously been tracked by ground-based radars, was a Russian military aircraft of the IL-20 COOT-A type. This type of aircraft is designed for surveillance and intelligence gathering…”.
The Danish Armed Forces detailed that the F-35A Lightning II fighters followed the Russian Il-20M while it was flying in Denmark’s area of interest near Bornholm, after which they returned to their base in southern Jutland. “…The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace throughout the process…”, stated the Danish press release.
For his part, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that “…it is absolutely crucial that Danish fighters assert national sovereignty when Russian military aircraft approach our airspace. With the F-35 aircraft, we have acquired a cutting-edge capability that enhances the combat power of Denmark’s defense and contributes to NATO’s overall deterrence and defense in the region…”.
It is worth remembering that the Royal Danish Air Force is still in the process of incorporating the F-35A Lightning II fighters. The Danish government has ordered 27 units of the U.S.-made fighter so far, projecting that the order will be completed by 2027. With this milestone, the Air Force will have successfully replaced its F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons, which will continue flying with the Air Forces of Argentina and Ukraine.
The deployment of the Danish Lightning II fighters also served as an opportunity for the Danish Minister of Defense to emphasize that “…the situation in the Baltic Sea remains tense due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and together with our Nordic neighbors, Poland, and Germany, we have a special responsibility for the security of the Baltic Sea…”.
The operation of the F-35A Lightning II as part of the Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) was the first after the local declaration of Initial Operational Capability for the fifth-generation fighter produced by Lockheed Martin. “…Officially, the F-35 begins to be included in the RDF as of today, April 1, but since the aircraft and crew were ready before that date, they already had their first rotation at the end of March…”.
Commander Jan Dam, head of the Air Command, stated that “…We have reached a point in the gradual introduction of the F-35 Lightning II where it is no longer just about education and training. Now, the aircraft can contribute to fulfilling the operational tasks of the fighters, and I am naturally proud of that…”.
If plans proceed as expected, the Royal Danish Air Force will continue using its F-35A Lightning II fighters alongside the older F-16AM/BMs for a few more months, particularly in aerial RDF missions. “…The Air Force is working towards finally retiring the F-16 by the end of 2025, and the F-35 will take over full RDF readiness…”.
*Cover image: Forsvaret.
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