The donation of American-made F-16 fighter jets from Denmark to Ukraine, which Kiev is eagerly awaiting, is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2024, after the training of their Ukrainian pilots is completed, Copenhagen announced yesterday Saturday.

“Based on the current schedule, the donation is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2024,” Denmark’s defense ministry said in a statement obtained by AFP, as Ukrainian pilots train on the Scandinavian country’s soil.

The request is to “complete the training of the Ukrainian personnel who will use the aircraft after the donation”, he clarified.

Denmark, which is replacing its F-16s with more modern F-35s, has promised Ukraine 19 such multi-role fighters. The Netherlands, which is involved in the training of Ukrainian operators and maintainers, is expected to donate another 42 to Ukraine, but the timetable has not yet been disclosed.

In his wishes for the new year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that the pilots of the Ukrainian air force are now familiar with these aircraft, which he expects to operate in the airwaves of his country within the year.

“The timing of the training depends on various factors, such as material and meteorological conditions,” the Danish Ministry of Defense pointed out, however.

As of the end of February 2022, Copenhagen’s military aid to Kyiv has reached 16.8 billion kroner (2.2 billion euros).