Danish Government looks to buy 27 F-35s
It was announced this morning that the Danish Government is recommending the purchase of 27 F-35s for its future defence requirements.
Above: F-35As at Luke AFB, USA.
Courtesy Lockheed Martin
An announcement was made at 10 a.m. today in Copenhagen by the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister, proposing that Denmark purchase 27 F-35s for DKK20 billion ($3bn).
Following this announcement, the next phase is an open debate in the Danish Parliament, which should last approximately one month before Denmark can officially approve the decision. If it does so, it will mean Denmark will join the other 10 countries which have decided to purchase the F-35 (Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, South Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, UK and US).
In an executive summary of the Type Selection of Denmark’s New Fighter Aircraft, the F-35 - which was evaluated on an operational period of 30 years (2020-2049) - was deemed to be able to perform a wider range of missions than the other fighter options considered and led to an estimation that the fewer aircraft required would mean lower lifecycle costs.
An F-35 Joint Program Office statement said: 'We understand the selection process for the New Fighter Program is still ongoing and the Joint Program Office will continue to provide the Danish Government with the data needed to make an informed decision that is in their country's best interest'.
Lockheed Martin said it is pleased that Denmark has reaffirmed its commitment to the F-35 programme with the down select of the F-35 in a fair and open competition. It also said the F-35 Lightning II will help ensure Denmark’s national security and also positions Danish industry to capture long-term work throughout the life of the programme and that it will continue to work with Danish Industry on F-35 production throughout the life of the programme. The projected industrial opportunities with the F-35 will bring long term economic benefits to Denmark for decades to come.