Illustration: The Touch & Go
Denmark retires iconic Dannebrog-painted F-16 as fighter fleet transitions
Royal Danish Air Force decommissions its red-and-white Dannebrog F-16 and transfers remaining jets to Argentina amid F-35A modernization.
The gist
Denmark retires its Dannebrog F-16 and sends 24 fighters to Argentina, replacing them with F-35As as fleet modernization continues.
The Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) has officially retired the distinctive red-and-white F-16 fighter jet adorned with the Dannebrog, Denmark's national flag. Tail number E-006, which bore the eye-catching Nordic cross design since 2024, was the second air show aircraft painted in this iconic livery. This retirement marks a milestone in Denmark's ongoing transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the more advanced F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter as the backbone of its air combat capabilities.
Following the retirement of E-006, significant preparations have begun to ferry Denmark's remaining F-16 fleet to Argentina. The South American nation will receive a total of 24 used F-16s, composed of single-seat A-models and two-seat B-variants. Buenos Aires took delivery of the first six Danish F-16s in December 2025, and the remaining aircraft will arrive in three phases by late 2028. This transfer is supported by the US embassy in Buenos Aires as part of a strategic partnership involving defense assets.
Copenhagen officially retired the rest of its F-16s in December 2025, concluding over four decades of service with the versatile fighters. Since then, extensive maintenance and logistical work has been conducted, primarily at Aalborg air base, which serves as the RDAF’s central maintenance hub. As part of this process, the Dannebrog-painted E-006 is scheduled for a major inspection and will be repainted in a standard grey scheme prior to transfer, removing its symbolic national colors.
The ferry flights transporting these fighters from Europe to Latin America commenced with the first batch departing from Skrydstrup air base in Denmark. This journey included planned stops at Zaragoza in Spain, the Canary Islands, and Natal in Brazil. Notably, a US Air Force KC-135 tanker contributed essential aerial refueling support during the transatlantic leg, underscoring international cooperation in the operation.
Denmark's choice to retire the F-16 fighters aligns with its decision to upgrade to the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II. Currently, 21 out of 43 ordered F-35As are in active service within the RDAF. This new fleet enhances Denmark’s air combat capabilities with stealth, advanced sensors, and networking features, marking a significant leap forward from the legacy F-16s.
By divesting its F-16s, Denmark is contributing to regional security through the sale to Argentina, enabling Buenos Aires to modernize its air force with capable multirole fighters. This transfer represents a critical boost to the Argentinian Air Force’s operational readiness and interoperability, given the aircraft’s widespread use among NATO and allied forces.
The decommissioning of the Dannebrog F-16s symbolizes a shift in Danish defense aviation priorities, reflecting broader trends in military modernization and international defense cooperation. The remaining older-generation fighters will be phased out in favor of a technologically superior stealth platform, positioning Denmark for contemporary and future air defense challenges.
The meticulous process to ferry the F-16s across the Atlantic demonstrates the complexity of military asset transfers involving long distances and cross-continental logistics. Coordination with US partners has been essential, particularly regarding aerial refueling capabilities and ensuring the safe arrival of the jets at their new home bases in Latin America.
As Denmark completes this transition, it sets an example of a carefully managed fleet renewal and international defense collaboration. The phased delivery to Argentina will continue through 2028, further cementing defense ties between the nations and marking a new chapter for the legacy F-16 fleet initially painted with the Dannebrog colors.
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