Late Arrival Of F-35s Leaves Danes Frustrated

The Danish government has expressed frustration over mounting delays in the arrival of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters. 

Denmark had expected the delivery of its next batch of aircraft during the first half of 2024. But it has since been pushed back into the second half of the year, the Danish Defense Ministry said Sept. 7. 

Lockheed says it has been struggling to keep production and development of new avionics for the aircraft on track. This is in part due to the certification process for the Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) hardware, and also because of late component deliveries from suppliers. 

Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen says the issue is “annoying” and that the Danish armed forces “need these advanced aircraft to perform tasks nationally and internationally.” 

“I have asked for an explanation of what the delays mean and how we are dealing with this ... I will now, among other things, enter into dialogue with my American colleague [Defense Secretary] Lloyd Austin to look at possible solutions,” Poulsen says. 

Danish officials say they will still have the capacity to train Ukrainian pilots on Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters and continue with plans to donate the F-16s, even with the late arrival of the F-35s. They also say the delays will not affect Denmark’s obligations toward NATO in a conflict situation.

Denmark is the second European customer to express concern over the delays, with reports from Belgium suggesting Brussels will delay acceptance of its first aircraft until 2024. 

Copenhagen is purchasing 27 F-35As and preparing for the delivery of the first aircraft in-country to Skrydstrup Airbase, which will become the main operating base for the Danish F-35 fleet on Oct. 1. 

It is unclear whether the delays will affect the Royal Danish Air Force’s aim to achieve an initial operating capability in 2024. Full operational status will be achieved in 2027.