Norway is expected to be the third country to supply Kiev with F-16 fighter jets to bolster its Soviet-era air force, three Norwegian media outlets reported Thursday.
Neither the number of aircraft nor the delivery date of the fighter jets have been disclosed as Ukraine continues a counter-offensive against Russian forces in the east of the country.
A spokeswoman for the Norwegian defense minister, contacted by AFP, could neither confirm nor deny the information released by the media.
The news comes as Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store is visiting Ukraine, which is celebrating its Independence Day today.
While visiting Jonas Gahr Store, Norway has announced that it will provide Kiev with Iris-T anti-aircraft missiles, demining equipment and a $141 million aid package to purchase gas and electricity next winter.
However, there was no official announcement about the F-16.
Of the 57 F-16s that Norway has officially for sale, 32 have already been sold to Romania and 12 to the North American group Draken International, but not yet delivered.
If the information from the media NRK and TV2 and the newspaper Aftenposten is confirmed, Norway will become the third country, after Denmark and the Netherlands, to supply F-16s to Ukraine.
Copenhagen has promised 19 aircraft, while The Hague will deliver 42, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Source: DN
