Denmark has rejected a NATO request for a squadron of Danish F-16 aircraft for Afghanistan for budgetary reasons and because such a move would run contrary to Denmark’s strategy of working for a withdrawal, according to Foreign Minister Lene Espersen.

“The armed forces have determined that we cannot accede to the request. We are one of the countries that contribute the most to stabilise Afghanistan. Now it is a question of reorganizing our efforts so that we hopefully in time can reduce our contribution in Afghanistan. Contributing extra aircraft would pull us in the opposite direction of what we want to do politically. We do not feel that we are the ones who should contribute more,” says Lene Espersen.

“Financially it is also a challenge, because the financial framework is under strain. It is not possible to find further funds for international operations,” Espersen adds.

Defence Minister Gitte Lillelund Bech (Lib) says that Defence Chief Knud Bartels has told the government that the armed forces do not have the funds to send planes. Costs would run to some DKK 40 million (EUR 5.3 million).