Norway's Promised F-16s Still Await Arrival in Ukraine, Undergoing Repairs in Belgium

The F-16 fighter jets that were promised to Ukraine by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during his visit to Kyiv in August 2023 have not yet arrived in Ukraine and have not been deployed in the war. According to a report from the Norwegian state broadcaster NRK, the situation remains unchanged as the jets are currently undergoing repairs in Belgium.

According to the information, two of the six F-16 aircraft were previously used for training Ukrainian pilots in Denmark; however, they have been in a workshop in Belgium for over a year. The other four aircraft were unable to fly independently when they were sent from Norway and were delivered in parts, packed in crates, via transport aircraft in April 2025. All of them are also located in the Sabena workshop in Belgium.

The report highlights significant issues with the capacity for servicing and preparing the F-16 aircraft at the Sabena facility, which is likely the main reason for the delay in the arrival of the Norwegian jets in Ukraine. The four jets delivered in crates require extensive work, and preparations for them are expected to take around a year. An advisor from one of the Western countries cooperating with the Ukrainian Air Force noted that each of the four aircraft is missing about 100 parts, which means the assembly process could take considerable time.

This advisor also emphasized the urgent need for these Norwegian jets in Ukraine, as the country is at a critical juncture in the war. 'These six aircraft would save lives this winter and better protect infrastructure. We would be able to shoot down more Russian missiles and drones,' he stated.

Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik confirmed this information and stressed that it is Ukraine, in coordination with donor countries, that determines priorities at Sabena, including the preparation of new aircraft compared to the maintenance of already operational jets. Sandvik also noted that ownership of the aircraft was transferred from Norway to Ukraine in 2024 and 2025.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the best F-16 aircraft that Norway had were previously transferred to Romania. 'The 32 aircraft that were in the best condition, along with workshop equipment and spare parts, were then agreed to be sold to Romania to support the allied country in strengthening NATO in Southern Europe,' the minister explained.

Sandvik added that Norway decided to donate the remaining aircraft to Ukraine, despite their poor condition. 'It was well known that the aircraft required significant preparation. This is different from Denmark and the Netherlands, which were still operating F-16s in 2023 and could take an aircraft directly out of service. The Norwegian government still decided to donate these aircraft, as it was considered better than not donating at all,' he emphasized.

It is also worth noting that several representatives of the Norwegian government and armed forces had previously made statements that created the impression that the Norwegian F-16s were already stationed in Ukraine. Meanwhile, it has been reported that many F-16s provided by Denmark and the Netherlands have already been integrated into the Ukrainian armed forces and have helped protect energy infrastructure from Russian attacks during the past winter.