Denmark restarting fighter procurement competition

Denmark is restarting its fighter procurement programme and looking to select a new fighter aircraft in 2015 in order to replace its aging Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons, it has been revealed.

The need for a re-launch comes after the Danish fighter procurement programme was effectively halted in March 2010 as the country postponed making a decision on the replacement.

The news was revealed as part of the Danish Defence Agreement (2013-2017) between the country's major political parties, which replaces the previous defence agreement.

According to the agreement, Denmark will downselect a fighter by the end of 2015. A 'type selection' of the country's new fighter aircraft is estimated by the Danish Ministry of Defence (MoD) to take some two years, a process that "must be initiated as soon as possible".

Denmark had previously stated a desire for up to 48 aircraft, although it is understood by IHS Jane's that a decision on the number of aircraft to be procured will only occur after the type selection process concludes. Denmark used to operate 48 F-16s and had hoped for an airframe to airframe replacement of these.