Although their future lies in Argentina and Ukraine, the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter-bombers continue to play a vital role in the security and monitoring of the Baltic Sea. Recently, a Danish F-16AM deployed to the airport on the island of Bornholm, a locality that holds a strategic position for Denmark in the Baltic waters.
According to the Danish Armed Forces on their social media, “…An F-16 fighter jet is present today (as of yesterday) in Bornholm. The F-16 is occasionally stationed in Bornholm to demonstrate and maintain the capability to land on the island and to help display vigilance and deterrence in the Baltic Sea…”
As seen in images shared by the Danish Armed Forces, the F-16 that deployed to Bornholm features a distinctive paint scheme, which was officially named the “Mid-Century Danish Fighting Falcon” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the American-made fighter.
This paint scheme was applied to the F-16AM Fighting Falcon, serial number E-006, nearly a year ago, a job that involved hand-painting the underside of the aircraft. Since then, this particular jet has participated in several events and airshows.
It’s worth remembering that the Royal Danish Air Force is currently undergoing a transition and renewal of its combat aviation. To reach this milestone, the Force is incorporating 27 fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters to replace the veteran but still capable F-16 AM/BM Fighting Falcons.
The consolidation of its F-35 fleet—both through aircraft deliveries and the maturing of the support and sustainment capabilities achieved by the Royal Danish Air Force—has enabled the Lightning II to assume roles in airspace surveillance and quick reaction alert (QRA) duties over Danish airspace.
Danish F-16s for Argentina and Ukraine
As for the future of the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-16 AM/BM Fighting Falcons, two destinations have already been determined: Argentina and Ukraine.
In Argentina’s case, the Air Force presented its first example a few months ago: an F-16BM Block 10, which will serve as a ground trainer for new pilots, support crews, mechanics, and engineers. Expectations in Argentina are high, as the first batch of operational F-16s is expected to arrive before the end of the year. Their arrival will be accompanied by infrastructure upgrades at Argentine bases, specifically at the VI Air Brigade in Tandil and the Río Cuarto Air Materiel Area.
If everything proceeds as initially planned, the Argentine Air Force will operate a fleet of 24 F-16 AM/BM Block 15s in the coming years, along with modern training, operational, and maintenance facilities for its crews and aircraft.
In Ukraine’s case, its Air Force had already received 12 of the 19 fighter aircraft pledged by the Danish government as of a few weeks ago. The transfer of Danish F-16 AM/BMs to Kyiv began in August 2024. Since then, the fighter-bombers have seen combat on a few occasions, with at least two losses reported.
It’s worth noting that the U.S. approved Denmark’s transfer of six F-16 Block 10s, thirteen F-16 Block 15s, additional engines, and support equipment to Ukraine—a package valued at USD 87.5 million. Denmark has not only been a driving force behind the initiative to donate F-16s to Ukraine but is also one of the few countries training both pilots and technical personnel.
With support from Norway, the Netherlands, and Belgium, Ukraine’s allies have made nearly 90 F-16 AM/BMs available—aircraft that are gradually being integrated into the Ukrainian Air Force, either for operational use or as spare parts to sustain the active fleet.
Cover image: Forsvaret – Rune Dyrholm
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