Denmark’s leadership wants to buy 27 F-35s, announced the NATO partner’s prime minister and defense minister on Thursday morning, according to a Lockheed Martin release. The government also considered replacing its F-16 fleet with F/A-18F Super Hornets or Eurofighter Typhoons, according to its recommendation summary, but found the Joint Strike Fighter ranked first in each of its four evaluation categories: strategic, military, economic, and industrial. The Danish parliament will now debate the matter, and a final decision is expected in about a month, according to a Lockheed spokesman. In a statement, the F-35 Joint Program Office said it will continue to provide the Danish government with the information needed to make an informed decision.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
