The Wings of War telegram channel, in conjunction with AviaNews, has compiled a registry of NATO countries equipped with US F-16 fighters. Analysis showed that fighter jets from Norway and the Netherlands are the more likely to be transferred for the first time to Kiev.
F-16 fighters are in service with ten NATO states, in total they have more than 1600 aircraft: USA (889 units), Turkey (260), Greece (154), Norway (57), Belgium ( 53), Poland (48), Denmark (44), Netherlands (42), Portugal (30), Romania (17). In addition, 15 other countries around the world are fighter operators, but the study authors consider their participation in the deliveries unlikely.
They pointed out that aid to Kiev could actually come from 3-5 countries that are currently decommissioning F-16s and are in the process of replacing them with F-35s. In addition, the United States has large stocks of decommissioned F-16s in storage in the Arizona desert.16 They can become a supplier of parts and repair kits.
According to the authors of the study, among those who are ready to be the first to send fighters to Ukraine, it is worth talking about Norway. In early 2022, it completely retired all of its F-16s from combat service, replacing them with F-35As. Only part of the aircraft was sold to Romania.
The Netherlands has already received up to 24 units of F-35s and has begun to dispose of its F-16 stocks. as the first supplier of F-16″. in Kiev,” the study notes.
Denmark is preparing to receive its F-35As in 2023. In Copenhagen, together with the allies, they promised to make a decision on the supply of F-16s to Kyiv before the summer. Potentially, this could mean that Denmark is ready to transfer fighters.
The United States has a really huge stockpile of these planes. They can even give F-16 Block 25/30, which are being phased out of service by the US National Guard Air Force, but they are somewhat different from European F-16s. In any case, the Pentagon, as the main “conductor”, cannot remain on the sidelines in this affair. Analysts have also allowed an option in which several countries will “participate” to show their cohesion.
