Norway to buy four F-35 training jets

Posted on 29.04.2011. by Steve Janssens | Source: F-16.net

The government's proposal, which needs to be approved by Parliament, is in line with the earlier decisions to procure the F-35 for its F-16 replacement. The RNoAF's F-16 fleet has served for three decades and is set for retirement in 2023 at the latest.

Acquisition of the four planes is an important step to maintain a satisfactory operational combat aircraft capacity in the transition phase between the F-16 and F-35, says Defense Minister Grete Faremo.

The jets will be based in the U.S. and used initially to train instructor pilots and later operational pilots. These are the first of up to 56 planned jets with main deliveries planned in the 2018-2021 timeframe. The four jets are expected to cost NOK 4.8 billion or USD 744 million with a projected exchange rate of NOK 6.45.

This includes NOK 1.2 billion in logistics and operations in the first few years, as well as contingencies of NOK 0.4 billion NOK. These jets will be delivered early and are thus more expensive than the later main batches.

<< Back