Denmark has officially retired its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet after more than four decades of service, completing a transition toward full reliance on the F-35A Lightning II. The final F-16 flights marked the end of an era in which the aircraft supported NATO missions across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Several retired jets have been transferred to allies, including Ukraine and Argentina. Denmark now plans to operate 43 F-35As, combining its original order with an expanded purchase approved in 2025 amid rising regional security concerns. The fifth-generation fighters will provide advanced stealth, sensor fusion, and networked warfare capabilities, with full operational readiness expected by 2027.
