– Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against attacks from the air is absolutely crucial in its defense battle against Russia, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) in a press release. On Wednesday, it became known that Norway is donating six F-16 fighters. This is the type of aircraft Norway has used since the 1980s, before the F-35 fighter jet was purchased instead. Now 32 F-16s have been sold to Romania, but Norway still has F-16s standing by. The government wants to provide Ukraine with this type of aircraft to contribute to the defensive war against Russia. F-16 takes off from base in Norway. This aircraft type was previously stationed both in Bodø, on Ørlandet and on Rygge. Photo: Hanne Olafsen, Luftforsvaret – Together with air defence, the fighter planes will be important for the Ukrainians to be able to defend themselves against Russian attacks from the air, says Støre. Norway has also donated air defense systems of the NASAMS type to Ukraine. Training since last autumn Since autumn 2023, Norway has contributed to the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots in Denmark. The donation of the fighter jets takes place in a multinational collaboration led by Denmark, the Netherlands and the USA. – Ukraine does not have F-16s from before, but old Soviet aircraft. So we have to teach them to fly the F-16. They cannot fly on what we call western methods and according to western doctrine, says lieutenant colonel and head of detachment for the Norwegian training contribution in Denmark, Bård Bakke. Lieutenant-Colonel and head of detachment for the Norwegian training contribution in Denmark, Bård Bakke (right), together with Commander of the Air Force, Lieutenant-General Rolf Folland (left). Photo: Bente H. Johansen / news – It is a start for Ukraine to switch to western combat aircraft types. So that they get hooked into the surrounding support apparatus, with access to weapons and knowledge and spare parts, says researcher at the Air Force Academy, Lars Peder Haga. Grateful for Denmark’s leadership, Denmark decided early on that they would donate F-16s, additional equipment and train pilots in Denmark. Denmark is also switching to the F-35 instead of the F-16. – It is a coalition of many different countries that contribute. They contribute airframes, technicians and equipment that will continue to be used, says Bakke. The Minister of Defense appreciates Denmark’s role. – Norway is grateful for Denmark’s leadership and hosting of training for Ukrainian personnel and pilots at Skrydstrup air base, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) in the press release. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) on a visit to Bodø when two Norwegian F-16 aircraft were prepared before they were sent to Skydstrup air station in Denmark. Photo: Andreas Nilsen Trygstad / news He says building up what we can call a western combat air force for Ukraine is a big ambition that will require a lot in the years to come. Will continue to support Ukraine – Norway will also support the training in the future, says Prime Minister Støre. Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Ap) points out that Ukraine is fighting a battle both for its own freedom and for our common values, democracy and international law. – Ukraine is at the forefront of Euro-Atlantic security, says the foreign minister in the press release. F-16 in Bodø just before the plane takes off for Skydstrup air base in Denmark. Photo: Andreas Nilsen Trygstad / news – Both President Zelenskyj and Foreign Minister Kuleba have time and again expressed great gratitude for Norwegian support for air defense, and have been clear that these aircraft are extremely important contributions to their defense of their own freedom and sovereignty, says Eide. Need more weapons for the F-16 The Ministry of Defense states that work is underway to secure Ukraine various types of weapons for the fighter aircraft. As Ukraine gains more trained pilots and support personnel, the parties to the fighter coalition will add more aircraft to Ukraine. – We have operated F-16s for over forty years in Norway and the rest of the West. The combined experience we have with us is important for Ukraine to be able to get off to a good start in Ukraine. What we have mostly trained for in the last forty years is operating the F-16 against numerically superior enemies, so I think our experience will come in handy, says Bakke. The need for weapons for the fighters will increase in line with the number of F-16s in the Ukrainian Air Force. Armament and other support for the aircraft will be handled in the framework of the multinational cooperation, the ministry states. Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Great Britain and Norway are involved in this collaboration. – Those who have control in the air usually have control on the surface. If you manage to clear airspace above the ground, you can move more freely, gather ground forces and protect yourself from counterattacks in the air, says Haga at the Norwegian Air Force School. Researcher at the Air Force Academy, Lars Peder Haga. Photo: Luftkrigskolen He believes that part of the reason why the Ukrainian counter-offensive last summer did not turn out as expected is that they failed to protect it sufficiently from the air. Published 10.07.2024, at 13.30 Updated 10.07.2024, at 13.32
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Norway donates six F-16 fighters to Ukraine – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
