Six F-16 aircraft that Norway transferred to Ukraine are undergoing repair and maintenance in Belgium. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that the first of them will be ready soon.
Stere said this during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Oslo on April 14.
Støre explained that the F-16s transferred to Ukraine were not in active service in Norway, as the country has been using the F-35 for several years. Therefore, these aircraft required serious repairs and preparation for inclusion in the Ukrainian Air Force.
“Other countries that delivered F-16s delivered the aircraft directly from service, so they could be put into service more quickly,” said the Norwegian Prime Minister.
According to him, the aircraft are now the property of Ukraine and are undergoing maintenance in Belgium in accordance with an agreement also concluded with the United States and Great Britain.
“I think the first of these planes will be operational soon,” Stere added.
Zelensky said that Ukraine has received great support from Norway from the very beginning. He thanked for the six F-16s and said that the Ukrainian side understands the need for repairs and is waiting for the planes to arrive after they are completed.