Ukraine will receive F-16 fighter jets from Norway. Six aircraft will be delivered in the near future, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said, RBC-Ukraine reports.

According to the Ukrainian minister, during a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council he held talks with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram. The Ukrainian official thanked the Norwegian government and people for the unprecedented support for Ukraine.

During the talks, the ministers discussed the current situation on the front and Ukraine's needs, including in the field of long-range weapons. Specific agreements were also reached on strengthening Ukraine's air defense.

“A separate focus is the aviation component. In particular, strengthening our capabilities with F-16 fighter jets. Norway will continue its support and will provide Ukraine with six aircraft in the near future,” Umerov said.

According to the head of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, he also discussed with his Norwegian counterpart the development of the Ukrainian defense industry.

In particular, Umerov invited Norway to join direct financing of Ukrainian defense enterprises, as Denmark has already done.

At the same time, the Ukrainian defense minister suggested that Norway train and provide equipment to one brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. France is currently implementing such an initiative.

Norway announced the transfer of six F-16 airplanes to Ukraine in July. Then Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stere assured that the deliveries would start this year.