The key facts
- The six F-16s formally belong to Ukraine, but in the spring of 2026 all of them were under repair in Belgium.
- The Steigan author estimates possible lost revenue at up to 840 million kroner and demands an audit.
- The authorities cite security-related restrictions.
Three years without a public answer
In Norway, the debate has resumed over the fate of six F-16 fighter jets that the authorities promised to Ukraine back in August 2023. Dan-Viggo Bergtun, author of a publication on the Steigan portal, pointed out that by November 2026 the authorities had not presented a detailed report on the aircraft's readiness and the costs of preparing them, reports Life.ru.
What is known about the condition of the aircraft
According to the outlet, two of the six fighters were previously used to train Ukrainian pilots in Denmark, while the remaining four needed serious repairs. Formally, the aircraft have already become the property of Ukraine, but this does not mean they are ready for combat use. Back in April, Norwegian journalists established that all six aircraft were at the Sabena facility in Belgium: the first two were to be repaired and tested by August 2026, while the others required a significantly larger volume of work. In the spring of 2026, Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik confirmed that all six aircraft were undergoing maintenance in Belgium.
Criticism and the question of money
The situation has drawn criticism in the Norwegian parliament as well: according to the publication, the chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee, Peter Frølich, expressed indignation that the public might believe the fighters were already operational in Ukraine, even though they were still undergoing repairs. Bergtun also raised the question of budget funds: in his estimate, Norway could have lost up to 840 million kroner from a possible sale of the six F-16s, although he himself admits that Oslo's large expenditures on aircraft maintenance, armament and pilot training cannot be attributed entirely to the cost of these aircraft. He proposed auditing the programme and disclosing the costs of transportation, repairs and maintenance.
What remains unknown
The absence of public information about the current condition of the aircraft does not in itself prove that they are still in Belgium: the Norwegian authorities have previously explained that information on deliveries is restricted for security reasons and at the request of the Ukrainian side. Thus, the key questions — whether the repairs are complete, whether the aircraft have been transferred to Ukraine, and whether they are carrying out combat missions — had no publicly confirmed answer as of November 2026. For context: Life.ru previously reported on Norway's decision to transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine; Norway became the third country, after the Netherlands and Denmark, to announce the transfer of F-16s to Kyiv, and one of the conditions cited at the time was the completion of Ukrainian pilots' training.
