Farewell to the F-16: Denmark Retires a Legend as Arctic Tensions Rise

Today marks the final day in service for the Royal Danish Air Force’s (RDAF) Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons after a storied 46-year operational history encompassing air defence, NATO missions, combat deployments, and Arctic sovereignty patrols.

At a formal ceremony held at Skrydstrup Air Base, Denmark bid farewell to an aircraft that has been central to its air power since 1980, closing a chapter in military aviation and transitioning fully to the F-35A Lightning II as its frontline fighter.

Across its service life, Denmark operated 77 F-16s. As part of the retirement process:

🇺🇦 19 aircraft have been donated to Ukraine to support its defence against Russian aggression.

🇦🇷 24 jets have been sold to Argentina; deliveries continue as part of that transfer.

The remaining jets have either been decommissioned or were lost in accidents over decades of service.

This transition underscores not only Denmark’s modernization but also how ageing platforms are redistributed within the global aviation ecosystem.

Arctic Geopolitics: Greenland and Rising Tensions with the U.S.

The retirement of the F-16 occurs against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension between Denmark and the United States over Greenland — an autonomous Arctic territory that remains part of the Danish realm and central to Nordic security.

In early 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump reignited controversy by publicly asserting that the United States should acquire Greenland, allegedly “one way or the other,” citing its strategic location facing Russia and China. These comments sparked diplomatic friction between Copenhagen and Washington. 

Denmark’s government has firmly rejected any proposal to cede sovereignty over Greenland, emphasising that the U.S. does not need ownership of the territory to contribute to Arctic defence, and asserting that any such idea is “out of the question” under international law. 

In response to rising uncertainty and to reinforce Arctic readiness, Denmark has expanded its military presence in Greenland — deploying additional forces, aircraft patrols, and conducting exercises in close cooperation with NATO allies. 

This buildup is part of Operation Arctic Endurance, a Danish-led NATO activity focused on strengthening allied interoperability and deterrence in one of the world’s most challenging operational environments. 

A NATO Strain?

What makes the current situation unusual is that this tension is unfolding within NATO itself. While NATO has historically served as a platform for collective defence in the Arctic, differing interpretations between Denmark and the United States — particularly around Greenland’s future and strategic role — have introduced strains in transatlantic cooperation not seen in decades. 

Demonstrations in Denmark and Greenland underscore widespread public opposition to claims of divestiture or foreign acquisition of the territory. 

The F-16 Legacy and Denmark’s Strategic Future

Denmark’s F-16s were more than an airframe — they were a flexible tool of national and alliance deterrence for nearly half a century. They flew Baltic Air Policing missions, participated in overseas combat operations, and conducted sovereignty patrols in the Arctic. Their retirement consolidates Denmark’s transition to the fifth-generation F-35A, a platform central to future air operations in Europe and the North Atlantic.

At the same time, geopolitical realities in the High North — where airpower, maritime security, and alliance cohesion intersect — continue to evolve rapidly. The RDAF’s F-16s may be gone, but the region they helped secure remains a pivotal arena for strategic competition and alliance diplomacy.

Denmark postpones the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine due to the Ukrainian pilots' lack of readiness.

Denmark, alongside the Netherlands, had committed to sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to aid in their defense against Russia's invasion, starting from February 2022. However, Denmark now plans to deliver these F-16s to Ukraine in the third quarter of 2024. The delay is attributed to various factors, including the readiness of Ukrainian pilots, logistical sufficiency, and infrastructure requirements for aircraft maintenance in Ukraine.

According to reports, the training of Ukrainian pilots to operate F-16s is ongoing. The United States estimates that more Ukrainian pilots may be prepared to operate the aircraft by late summer 2024. Denmark and Belgium remain dedicated to training Ukrainian pilots, utilizing their F-16s in training centers situated in Denmark. Some Ukrainian pilots are actively flying F-16s in Danish airspace, while others are undergoing training in the United Kingdom, starting with English language instruction.

Both Denmark and Belgium are expecting the delivery of their new fleets of F-35s, aiming to replace their aging fleets of F-16s. However, delays in the integration of TR-3 into Block 4 of the combat aircraft in the United States have postponed the delivery of these fifth-generation fighters.

USAF B-1s fly to Baltics to train with Danish fighters

Two B-1B Lancer bombers flew from Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota to the Baltic region Tuesday to take part in a Bomber Task Force mission and train with the Danish air force.
In a Wednesday release, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa said that the pair of B-1s, from Ellsworth’s 28th Bomb Wing, conducted integration and interoperability training with Danish F-16s over Bornholm Island, which is in the Baltic Sea and is part of Denmark.
The bombers also flew over Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, and helped Estonian joint terminal attack controllers practice close air support on the long-range, long-duration mission.
airforcetimes

Denmark Further Postpones Fighter Selection Until 2016

The Danish government continues to grapple with funding issues around the estimated $4.5 billion Fighter Replacement Program (FRP).
Progress in the FRP has also been complicated by rising development costs and technical problems relating to Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning 11, which along with Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter consortium’s Typhoon, is one of three short-listed candidate aircraft in the Danish competition.
That the Ministry of Defense has seen three different ministers come and go in the past two years, with political oversight for the FRP moving from Nicolai Wammen to Carl Holst and to the present minister, Peter Christensen, has also been a contributing factor in extending the decision-making process.
Christensen has told the Parliamentary Defense Committee (PDC) there will be no announcement on aircraft selection until all funding issues have been resolved and the government finalizes a finance plan.
This Danish government is set to announce a selection in the first quarter of 2016.
The three competitors have submitted bids for 24, 30 and 36 aircraft to the MoD's Project Office. Denmark had originally sought bids for up to 48 aircraft to replace the Danish Air Force’s aging F-16s.
However, economic uncertainty and tougher public spending cuts have reduced Denmark’s appetite for higher budgets and lowered its ambitions regarding the number of aircraft to be acquired.
defensenews

Royal Denmark Air force planning Challenger 604 mid-life upgrade

The Royal Danish Air Force is preparing to embark on a mid-life upgrade of its Bombardier Challenger 604 maritime patrol aircraft, which is expected to be implemented by 2018.
The four-strong fleet of Danish 604s will receive a series of modifications including a new downlink and a multirole radar capable of carrying out surface surveillance, weather monitoring and oil slick detection, as well as a new cockpit to the Challenger 605 standard.
A new aircraft is not on the cards due to the requirement for a new fighter to replace Denmark’sF-16s.
Of the four 604s in the air force’s inventory, three are currently utilised in the MPA role and one in a VIP and transport configuration.
flightglobal

Sweden, NATO report Russian military planes over Baltic Sea

The Swedish Air Force and NATO jets on Tuesday tracked two Russian Tu-22M3 and two Su-27 aircraft flying with their transponders turned off over the Baltic Sea.
NATO scrambled Danish jets and Italian jets based in Lithuania early Tuesday to identify the Russian aircraft which were heading to the Russian Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad.
The Russian military aircraft did not use their onboard transponder; they were not in contact with civilian Air Traffic Control and they were not on a pre-filed flight plan.
Swedish Foreign Minister said it was "unacceptable" for the Russian planes to be flying with shut-off transponders that are necessary for identifying aircraft on radar, calling it violation of international aviation rules.
NATO and Sweden, have reported an increase in Russian air maneuvers over the Baltic Sea in recent years.
stripes

Russian Military Jet Nearly Collides With Swedish SAS Passenger Plane

Swedish defense officials have said a Russian military aircraft nearly collided south of Sweden with a commercial passenger plane shortly after takeoff from Copenhagen, Denmark, on December 12.
Sweden's air force chief, Major General Micael Byden, said the Russian warplane's transponders -- which make the plane detectable to commercial radar -- were shut off.
Swedish Defense Minister called the incident "serious" and "inappropriate," although he added the Russian plane had not violated Swedish air space.
"This is outright dangerous when you turn off the transponder," Hultqvist told Swedish radio.
Both Danish and Swedish jet fighters were scrambled in response to the incident, which comes amid heightened tensions between the West and Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia's Defense Ministry denied any of its warplanes had violated Swedish airspace on December 12.
Quoted by TASS, Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said the Russia aircraft's flight had been made "in compliance with international air space rules, not violating borders of other countries and at a safe distance from traffic routes of civilian aircraft."
The commercial plane was reportedly flying to Poland, but it was unclear which airline was operating the flight or how many passengers were on board.
In March, a Russian military jet flying without transponders came within 100 meters of an SAS plane that had taken off from Copenhagen.
On December 11, Polish Defense Minister said Russia's military is engaging in an unprecedented amount of activity around the Baltic Sea.
The minister said that Poland, a member of NATO, was not under threat of attack and the Russian maneuvers were most likely designed to test how NATO forces in the region reacted.
The report by the European Leadership Network detailed almost 40 dangerous or sensitive incidents over the past eight months, including what it says was the near-collision of a Russian spy plane and an SAS jet carrying 132 passengers from Copenhagen to Rome on March 3.
rferl

NATO Fighters scrambled as Russian spy plane violates Estonian air space

A Russian intelligence aircraft briefly crossed into NATO airspace earlier this week, NATO said Wednesday.
The NATO’s radars detected an unidentified plane flying near NATO airspace in the Baltic Sea at about 9 a.m. CET on Tuesday. Danish F-16 fighter jets were scrambled, as were Portuguese F-16s that were part of NATO’s air policing mission over the Baltics. They were assisted by fighters from Sweden.
The Russian plane, an IL-20 intelligence collection aircraft, took off from Kaliningrad and flew over the Baltic Sea toward Denmark, NATO said, and it was met by aircraft from the three nations. As the IL-20 turned and headed south, it began approaching the airspace of Estonia, a NATO member.
The Russian aircraft entered Estonian airspace near the island of Saaremaa for less than one minute, an incursion of about 600 meters, NATO said. Portuguese F-16s made visual contact with the IL-20 and escorted it away from NATO airspace.
Russian officials denied the assertion. The Russian Defense Ministry told local news agencies that the plane had not violated Estonian airspace and was on a routine training mission from Kaliningrad in international airspace.
It’s standard procedure for NATO planes to scramble and intercept any unknown aircraft that approach NATO airspace. The Alliance said in a statement Wednesday that such flights are potentially dangerous, because Russian military planes often don't file flight plans or use their onboard transponders, leaving civilian air traffic control operators unable detect them or ensure they don't interfere with civilian air traffic.
wsj

Danish F-16s carry out first mission against Isis

Danish F-16 fighter jets participated in their first mission over northern Iraq on Thursday,according the Defence Ministry.
Two Danish jets took part in an American-led mission to engage Isis forces in Iraq and obtained useful information to be used by coalition forces.
The Danish parliament approved the military mission in Iraq on October 2nd, and the Danish jets arrived at the Ahmed Al Jaber base in Kuwait on October 5th. The Danish jets were kept grounded until Thursday due to the lack of permission from Kuwaiti authorities to use the country’s airspace. .
Denmark has contributed a total of seven F-16s to the coalition efforts against Isis: four operational jets and three in reserve. Accompanying the jets is a crew of up to 140 people.
thelocal.dk

Denmark maritime patrol aircraft joins Operation Ocean Shield

A Challenger (CL-604) maritime patrol aircraft from the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) is currently supporting NATO's counter-piracy Operation Ocean Shield Task Force 508 (CTF-508).
The Danish aircraft is stationed in the Seychelles with aircrew and 21-strong support team.
This is the fourth time the Royal Danish Air Force is participating in the counter-piracy operation off the coast of Somalia. The aircraft is equipped with radar to conduct surveillance over sea as well as an infrared and optical camera to collect intelligence about Somali pirates’ activities.
defenceweb

Denmark’s deployment of F-16s to fight ISIL blocked by opposition parties

The deployment of the Danish F-16 fighter jets has been delayed after opposition parties Konservative and Venstre blocked the vote to deploy, demanding clarity on Danes travelling to fight in Syria and Iraq on behalf of Islamic State (IS).
cphpost.dk

Denmark to send seven F-16s to fight IS group in Iraq

Denmark will send seven F-16 fighter jets to help combat IS militants in Iraq, Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said on Friday.
The Danish fighter jets would not join US planes in bombing targets in Syria.
The decision to take part in the campaign in Iraq is expected to receive the support of a majority in parliament and the F-16s could be dispatched next week.
news.yahoo.com

Portugal takes over lead of Baltic Air Policing Mission

Portugal assumed responsibility for the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission on 1 September, taking over from Poland which has had the role with the support of the United Kingdom and Denmark since May.
Six Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa - FAP) F-16 have now begun operations out of Siauliai Air Base in Lithuania, supported by four Boeing F/A-18 (CF-18/CF-188) Hornets of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
This deployment (which includes Canada for the first time) marks the third NATO mission which has been strengthened with additional countries and aircraft because of the regional tensions between Ukraine and Russia.
While the previous two deployments saw extra US Air Force (USAF) Boeing F-15 Eagles, UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoons, Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16s, and French Air Force Dassault Rafales added to the mission, this deployment will see the FAP F-16s and RCAF F/A-18s augmented by four-to-six Typhoons of the German Air Force operating out of Amari Airbase in Estonia, and four RDAF F-16s which will relieve the same number of French Rafale fighters at Malbork in northern Poland.
The heightened political tensions between NATO and Russia in recent months have seen a corresponding increase in military air activity near the Baltic states. During the previous air policing mission, UK Typhoons intercepted multiple Russian aircraft on 17 June, including a Tupolev Tu-22 'Backfire' bomber, four Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' fighters, one Beriev A-50 'Mainstay' early warning aircraft, and an Antonov An-26 'Curl' transport aircraft. It should be noted, however, that these all took place in international airspace.
janes

Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Announce Bids on Danish Fighter Competition; Saab Withdraws

Airbus, Boeing and Lockheed Martin have submitted bids to replace the Royal Danish Air Force’s F-16 combat jet fleet but Saab has withdrawn from the competition.
A decision on the long-running effort to acquire a replacement for the F-16s is expected next year.
Airbus Defence and Space with the Typhoon, Boeing with the F/A-18E/F and Lockheed with the F-35 said they had lodged bids.
Denmark has been a partner on the F-35 for a number of years and Danish industry has already been the recipient of a series of work programs on the combat jet, making Lockheed the long-time favorite to secure the deal.
defensenews

Danish NATO warplanes land in Estonia amid Ukraine crisis

Four Danish F-16 landed in Estonia on Wednesday, marking the first time NATO planes will be stationed in the ex-Soviet state and Russian neighbor.
The aircraft and a supporting team of 60 people arrived at the Amari air base in the west of the Baltic state at a time when NATO is reinforcing its presence in the region to allay concerns triggered
Until now the Western defence alliance’s sole Baltic air base was in Siauliai in northern Lithuania.
Some 150 US troops also arrived in Estonia on Monday, part of a 600-strong force that Washington sent to Poland and the Baltics to reassure the region.
Britain also sent four Typhoon fighters to Lithuania this week, while Poland contributed four MiG 29s, and France sent four Rafale jets to Poland.
defencetalk

Nordic Nations Navigate Hurdles to NH90 Purchases

Nordic nations have struggled with their much-delayed Nordic Standard Helicopter Program (NSHP), especially since capability shortages have appeared since 2010 in combat, troop transport and medical evacuation missions.
Under an agreement reached in 2001, NHIndustries was contracted to deliver 52 twin-engine NH90 utility helicopters to Sweden, Finland and Norway starting in 2004 and 2005.
By the end of 2010, just four NH90s had been delivered to Sweden and Norway. Deliveries were further complicated when the three Nordic customers opted not to purchase a common helicopter type, choosing instead to request customized features prior to delivery.
In the case of Sweden, serial postponements provoked a critical shortage of tactical and transport aircraft for operations in Afghanistan after 2008. The crisis forced the government to allocate special funds to purchase 15 Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60M Black.
This was envisioned as a stopgap measure to ensure the armed forces had sufficient aircraft available for both domestic and international operations until the NH90s arrived.
Sweden ordered 18 NH90s with an option for a further seven under the 2001 NSHP agreement. Finland placed orders for 20 NH90s while Norway’s requirement was 14 helicopters with an option to purchase an additional 10.
The Sweden's acquisition of Black Hawks, the first batch of which have supported Swedish troops in Afghanistan since November, has reduced pressure on the Swedish Air Force to meet the need to release combat-ready helicopters for overseas missions.
The Defense Ministry’s decision to buy Black Hawks followed inconclusive talks with NHIndustries, which was unable to confirm fixed NH90 delivery dates.
Six Black Hawks were delivered in 2011 and the remaining nine in 2012. The first two were delivered December 2011. All 15 Black Hawks are expected to be fully operational by 2017.
Sweden became the first European country to acquire the US Army’s UH-60M.
The first two Black Hawks entered service in Afghanistan during the first half of 2013, attached to the Swedish military base at Camp Marmal supporting or replacing Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma.
Despite the protracted delivery schedule, Sweden plans to complete the NH90 acquisition, which comprises 13.
Difficulties in securing delivery of the NH90 also limited the Norwegian Defense Force’s ability to maintain a ready supply of modern helicopters for domestic and international missions in 2010 to 2012.
In June 2012, Norway’s MoD signaled that it might cancel the NH90 order and was reported to have contacted Sikorsky regarding a possible accelerated purchase of the MH-60 Seahawk ASW as an alternative.
But NHIndustries delivered a second NH90 NFH in December 2012, easing the situation. The first was delivered in December 2011.
The NH90 segment of Norway’s helicopter modernization program is based on 14 units bought, and additional 10 options. When fully operational in 2017 to 2018, the NH90 NFHs will replace the currently Royal Norwegian Navy’s multirole Bell, Lynx and Sea King SAR.
Finland, too, has encountered delivery delays in its order of 20 NH90 tactical transport helicopters.
Under revised schedule, initial deliveries will be completed by the end of this year, some six years behind schedule. Completion of the full delivery program has been extended to 2018.
Denmark also has been strengthening its heli-capability through a program, which will see the Royal Danish Air Force acquire nine Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawks. The aircraft, which will replace Lynx 90B helicopters.
Routed through the US Foreign Military Sales program, the MH-60R acquisition is intended to support the Danish plan to deploy more ship-borne helicopters on vessels operating in Denmark’s Arctic territories, covering the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
defensenews

Sweden opens airspace to NATO AWACS aircraft

Sweden is to open up its airspace to Boeing E-3 AWACS aircraft operated by NATO as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine continues.
Citing the increased military activity in Sweden's immediate surroundings as a result of Russia's assault on Ukraine, the government is to allow AWACS aircraft to transit its airspace once every two days from 8 May to 31 May while routing between Norway and Poland.
The offer has been made specifically for NATO-operated AWACS aircraft, as opposed to AWACS aircraft operated by NATO member nations France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These nationally operated platforms have been patrolling the airspace bordering Ukraine since mid-March, but do not require routing via Swedish airspace.
The Swedish offer comes at a time of heightened air activity by NATO members in the face of the continuing crisis with Russia.
On 1 May the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission based in Lithuania formally transitioned from the US Air Force (USAF) and its reinforced contingent of 10 Boeing F-15C Eagle fighters to the Polish Air Force with its four MiG-29 fighters. These Polish MiGs are being supported by four UK (RAF)Typhoons, and four Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) F-16 Fighting Falcons flying out of Estonia (with two more on standby in Denmark).
Three days prior to this handover, on 28 April, four French Air Force Rafale fighters arrived in Poland , while on 29 April six Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Boeing CF-18 Hornet fighters departed for Romania, ostensibly for NATO training.
These further aircraft are in addition to the 18 USAF F-16s stationed in Poland and Romania, and the four Czech Gripens which have been offered to support countries bordering Ukraine.
janes

Denmark Kicks Off Fighter Contest

Denmark has fired the starting pistol in its contest for a new fighter aircraft, sending out requests for information to four manufacturers sending Requests for Binding Information (RBI) to Boeing for the F/A-18F Super Hornet, to Eurofighter for the Typhoon, to Lockheed Martin for the F-35A and to Saab for the Gripen E, as the country looks to replace its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons. Dassault and its Rafale have not been invited.
Candidates are expected to return the information in July, with officials due to make a selection on the aircraft in mid-2015 based on the platform’s ability to be updated during its operational life, its operations and maintenance costs, and also a willingness by the companies to develop industrial relationships with Danish industry.
The new aircraft are likely to enter service between 2020-2024, by which time the Danish F-16s will be up to 45 years old.
Denmark is already a Level 3 signatory to the Joint Strike Fighter program, having signed up in 2002. Indeed, one of its F-16Bs is stationed at Edwards AFB, Calif., to support the aircraft’s flight test program. But being a signatory to the program does not oblige it to purchase the aircraft, and Danish industry has reportedly expressed disappointment about the amount of business won from the F-35 program.
Meanwhile, Boeing is planning to send the Super Hornet to the Royal Danish Air Force’s main airshow at Karup, Denmark on June 22.
Tony Osborne-aviationweek

Germany offers Typhoons to bolster Baltic air policing

Germany has offered to send six Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft to help bolster the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission.
The offer has been made to support the Portuguese rotation of four Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons, which is due to take place out of Siauliai Airbase in Lithuania from September to December. The German Typhoons may deploy to Amari Airbase in Estonia.
The news that Berlin has offered to bolster the mission follows similar offers made by the UK, France, and Denmark, in light of the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea and the continued tensions with Ukraine.
With the US currently performing the role with 10 Boeing F-15C Eagle fighters, Poland is set to take over the rotation with four MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighters from the beginning of May to the end of August.
The NATO official said that the UK's offer of four Typhoons to support the Poles has been accepted, as has the Danish offer of four F-16s (with a further two on standby in Denmark). The UK Typhoons will operate out of Siauliai Airbase alongside the Polish MiG-29s, while two Danish F-16s will fly from Amari Airbase on Quick Reaction Alert (QRA). The remaining two F-16s will be held in reserve and contribute to enhanced training exercises with the Baltic states.
A French offer of assistance involving either Dassault Rafale or Mirage 2000 fighters should see them operate out of Malbork Airbase in Poland. According to NATO, these French fighters will conduct air policing training, but will not be part of the Baltic mission.
Separately, Bulgaria has indicated that it is looking for increased air defence cooperation with its NATO neighbours Romania and Turkey. This follows a spike in QRA scrambles that has reportedly seen the Bulgarian Air Force intercept more Russian military aircraft in the last year than it has over the last 20 years combined. In March that Bulgaria had already agreed such cooperation with Greece.
janes

Denmark to send six fighter jets to Baltics in May

Denmark is to send six F16 fighter jets to the Baltic countries Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia to help patrol their airspace.
Patrols will begin on May 1 and will be part of an expanded NATO air policing mission to reassure eastern members of the alliance following Moscow's annexation of Crimea after a referendum in the peninsula on joining Russia from Ukraine.
This is a signal especially to the Baltic countries that NATO stands shoulder to shoulder with Baltics and of course also a signal to Russia that we take NATO seriously," Lidegaard said after a meeting of parliament's foreign policy committee on Thursday.
Since the Baltic states joined NATO in 2004 several members of the alliance have made ​​aircraft and personnel available to monitor and enforce sovereignty of their air space.
U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that NATO needed to boost its presence in eastern European countries that feel vulnerable to Russia after the Crimea annexation.
Moscow says the people of Crimea exercised their right to self determination.
reuters