The Royal Norwegian Air Force has recently added three new F-35A Lightning II combat aircraft to its fleet as part of the ongoing Joint Strike Fighter Program. This program is a collaboration between the US Department of Defense and Lockheed Martin. These latest jets were officially received at Ørland Air Base in Trøndelag, bringing Norway’s total F-35A fleet to 49 aircraft out of the 52 planned for acquisition. The remaining units are expected to be delivered by spring, marking a significant milestone in the procurement process.
Speaking at the acceptance ceremony, Col. Tord Aslaksen from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Air Capabilities – Fighter Aircraft Department emphasized the importance of this moment, calling it “the largest mainland investment in Norwegian history.” He expressed satisfaction with the speed of the delivery process since it resumed, particularly given the intricate nature of developing and producing fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
Aslaksen highlighted that the final steps of the acquisition process would involve the delivery of several advanced weapon types linked to the fighter aircraft. The success of the F-35 program demonstrates the collaborative effort of partners in addressing and managing ongoing challenges inherent in such complex military projects.
The Joint Strike Fighter Program represents an ambitious multinational initiative aimed at developing a common fifth-generation fighter jet for participating nations’ air forces. Norway’s involvement began in 2012 when Lockheed Martin delivered the first F-35A airframes. This advanced fleet is set to replace the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s aging F-16 Fighting Falcon systems, which have been operational since the 1980s. The total projected cost for the 52 aircraft is around 60 billion kroner, equivalent to approximately $5.3 billion.
The F-35A Lightning II is a technologically advanced combat aircraft boasting impressive specifications. It measures 51 feet (16 meters) in length and has a wingspan of 35 feet (11 meters). The aircraft is equipped to carry a range of armaments, including a 25-caliber rotary cannon, multi-domain missiles, guided and unguided munitions, as well as nuclear bombs. Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 afterburning turbofan engine, it achieves a range of 1,500 nautical miles (approximately 1,726 miles or 2,778 kilometers), can reach altitudes of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters), and has a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 (1,228 miles or 1,976 kilometers per hour).
This delivery not only demonstrates Norway’s commitment to modernizing its air capabilities but also underscores the significance of international collaboration in advancing military aviation technology.
