Norway to hand over six F-16 fighters to Ukraine - Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov

Umerov made the announcement following bilateral talks with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram during the NATO-Ukraine Council.

‘A separate focus was on the aviation component, specifically enhancing our capabilities with F-16 fighters. Norway will continue its support and will provide Ukraine with six aircraft in the near future,’ the statement said.

In addition, the defense ministers discussed the current situation on the Russian-Ukrainian front and Ukraine's current needs, in particular in long-range weapons. According to Umerov, they reached specific agreements on strengthening air defense.

‘We also discussed the development of the Ukrainian defense industry. I invited Norway to join the Danish model of direct financing of Ukrainian defense enterprises. We are working in this direction. Separately, I offered Norway to take ‘patronage’ of one of the brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, similar to France, which includes training and equipping,’ added the Minister of Defense of Ukraine.

• On October 16, the Romanian government approved the procedure and conditions for training Ukrainian personnel to operate and maintain F-16 fighter jets.