Norwegian F-16s for Ukraine delayed amid maintenance disputes involving Sabena Aerospace

Plans to prepare Norwegian-donated F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine have been hampered by logistical bottlenecks and unanswered warnings from industry, according to information revealed by NRK.

Maintenance provider Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) advised Norwegian authorities in early 2025 against sending the aircraft to a Sabena Aerospace Engineering workshop in Belgium, citing capacity constraints. Instead, KAMS proposed completing both refurbishment and training in Norway. The recommendation was not acted upon.

Despite concerns, several aircraft—some missing up to 100 parts and transported without wings, engines, or tails—were shipped to Belgium, where they remain awaiting servicing. The backlog at the facility has since delayed their readiness for deployment to Ukraine.

Danish authorities, facing similar constraints, opted to retain and service their aircraft domestically, while Norway proceeded with the Belgian plan.

The situation has drawn political criticism. Norwegian lawmaker Peter Frølich described the handling of the program as a “lack of leadership,” arguing the aircraft could already be operational had the domestic option been pursued.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed the jets have not yet been delivered to Ukraine but has declined to clarify whether it considered KAMS’ proposal. Officials now state that Norway lacks both the capacity and spare parts to carry out such maintenance domestically, as resources are tied to a separate F-16 sale to Romania.

The delays come despite the growing importance of F-16s in Ukraine’s air defence, particularly in protecting critical infrastructure from ongoing Russian attacks.

Source: NRK

Additional information: In January 2026, the US Department of Defense contracted Sabena Aerospace Engineering (based in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert) to perform intermediate and depot-level maintenance for F-16s transferred to Ukraine, with work continuing through 2029.