COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) 鈥 Norway will donate six F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to defend itself from Russian attacks, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St酶re said Wednesday, adding that the jets will be important for Kyiv.
Ukraine has long pleaded for the sophisticated fighter to give it a combat edge against Russian firepower.
No date was announced as to when Norway will donate the six jets, but Gahr St酶re said, 鈥渨e aim to start the donations during 2024.鈥
He said Kyiv's 鈥渁bility to defend itself against attacks from the air is absolutely crucial in its defensive battle against Russia.鈥
Gahr Store spoke before he arrived in Washington for the NATO summit.
he said during a trip to Kyiv that Norway would donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine but didn't specify how many.
After 42 years of service, the Nordic NATO member phased out its aging fleet of F-16 fighters in 2021 and is replacing them with new F-35A Joint Strike Fighter jets.
Norway is the third European country after to donate F-16 planes to Ukraine.
Oil-rich Norway is one of the world鈥檚 biggest donors to Ukraine.
