Europe's Longest-Running F-16 Operation Comes to an End Amid F-35 Dominance

Denmark has retired its F-16 fleet after nearly five decades of service, marking the end of one of Europe’s longest-running operations. The Royal Danish Air Force will now operate an all-F-35 combat aircraft force, as announced by AeroTime reports. Denmark introduced the F-16 in 1980 and upgraded 61 aircraft through the Mid-Life Update program to the F-16AM/BM standard. The retirement comes amid heightened tensions between Copenhagen and Washington over Greenland’s security, with US officials urging Denmark to strengthen defenses in the Arctic region.