Decided To Extend F-16 Fighter Jet Service Term, Danish Defense Minister: Putin's Aggression Is Changing Europe And The Threats We Face

JAKARTA - The Danish government has decided to extend the operational life of their F-16 fighter jets by three years, amid growing concerns about threats from Russia.

The eastern region which is directly adjacent to Russia has become the attention of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, along with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

NATO member Denmark will spend 1.1 billion Danish crowns, or about 156 million US dollars, to keep its fleet of F-16 fighter jets flying until 2027.

Initially, Denmark agreed to buy a fleet of F-35 Lightning fighter jets from Lockheed Martin, the United States in 2016. This followed plans to retire the F-16 fighter jet fleet by 2024.

"The defense of the NATO territory in the east is more central than at any other time in recent history. That is why we are expanding the operational capacity of the F-16 while new F-35 jets are being phased in," Danish Defense Minister Morten Bodskov said in a statement, citing Reuters, June 21.

"Putin's aggression in Ukraine has changed Europe and the threat we face."

The decision will allow Denmark to strengthen its national defense and to participate in NATO missions, such as air policing in the Baltic states, the defense ministry said.