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Danish F-35s to gradually take over the QRA
With a blue cloudless sky and an F-35 with the Danish flag on its tail as a backdrop, Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard recently announced that the new Danish F-35 fighter jets are ready gradually take over the Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) from the F-16s.
“This is a great day. Denmark should be proud. The Danish Defence should be proud, and not least Fighter Wing Skrydstrup should be proud. It has been a long and complicated process, and many people have been involved in getting here. Thank you for your efforts,” said the Chief of Defence, in a Danish Defence Command news release.
The handover of the denial capability will take effect from the 1 of April, when the Royal Danish Air Force can send F-35s into the air to deny foreign nations’ aircraft and assert Denmark’s sovereignty in the airspace. It will not be the F-35 every time from day one, but gradually the F-35 will be deployed instead of the F-16.
“The F-35 provides a strategic advantage that can both deter threats and defend our territory and interests, and the aircraft increases the defence’s ability to operate effectively with NATO allies and future partners in the F-35 programme,” says Acting Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard.
Gradually taking over all tasks from the F-16
“This is a big deal for the Air Force, and one of the milestones we have been aiming for since the implementation of the F-35 began,” says Major General Jan Dam, Head of Air Command.
“Building the large F-35 complex, fitting out the buildings, training mechanics, planners, weapons personnel and pilots alongside the phasing out of the F-16 are all challenges that we have had to navigate. But our partners and employees have worked purposefully and professionally to make this happen. And now here we are in 2025 with a new fighter aircraft capacity that is ready to deliver combat power. I’m proud of that,” says Jan Dam.
The plan is for the F-35 to gradually take over all tasks from the F-16 aircraft over the coming years.
A force multiplier for Denmark
Like the F-16 before it, the F-35 is spearheading NATO’s air power and ensuring strategic integration of allied combat airpower. The vital interoperability of the 5th Generation F-35 binds 13 allies and partners with the United States in air dominance and enabling critical joint capabilities. The F-35 will serve as a force multiplier for Denmark, allowing the Royal Danish Air Force to train and fight alongside NATO allies and create a strong deterrent.
Denmark joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program in 2002 during the System Development and Demonstration phase and has influenced technical elements of the F-35. In October 2008, they delivered a Danish F-16 to the JSF 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB as part of the RDAF’s partnership with the F35 program and the F-16 served as a chase plane for the F-35 Development, Test & Evaluation program through Dec. 2016. In June 2016, Denmark confirmed plans to procure 27 F-35As.
Lockheed Martin and the Danish Armed Forces have enjoyed a successful partnership since the early 1950s, with the T-33 Shooting Star, F-104 Starfighter, C-130 Hercules and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Denmark is an essential partner in F-35 production, development and sustainment activities and today, is building parts and components for the projected 3,100+ aircraft to be manufactured.
Photo credit: Danish Armed Forces
