In Denmark, several thousand people came to see the country's F-35s

Denmark has officially celebrated the arrival of the first four fifth-generation F-35A Lightning II multi-role fighters at the Skrudstrup air base.

This was reported by Lockheed Martin.

More than 450 government, military, and industrial leaders from Denmark and allies gathered to celebrate the event, and more than 10,000 local residents took part in the Royal Danish Air Force's open house and watched the new aircraft in flight.

The arrival of the aircraft was marked by their flight over a large part of Denmark.

During the ceremony, Lockheed Martin officially handed over the certificate of title for the Danish F-35 fighters to the Danish Ministry of Defense's Procurement and Logistics Organization.

"The arrival of the first F-35 combat aircraft in Denmark is a historic event for the Danish Ministry of Defense and the Royal Danish Air Force. Thanks to the close and professional cooperation between Lockheed Martin, the F-35 partnership and the Danish Ministry of Defense, the country's defense has crossed the threshold into the future of air defense," said Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.

Denmark has played a crucial role in the F-35 program, joining in 2002 as a partner in the system development and demonstration phase, strategically influencing the technical elements of the program.

The Royal Danish Air Force has also provided a Danish F-16 to the 461st Joint Strike Fighter Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where it has served as a pursuit aircraft in the F-35 development, test, and evaluation program.

Danish industry has also contributed to the production, development, and support of the F-35 and today produces parts and components for each of the more than 3,100 aircraft planned for production.

To date, Denmark has received 10 F-35s, four of which are currently at Skrudstrup Air Force Base and six at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Danish pilots and technicians are receiving training. In total, Denmark plans to purchase 27 F-35 aircraft.

Author - Olena Madiak, 02/10/2023