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Norway Will Soon Receive Final Batch of Most Modern F-35 Fighter Jets from United States.
The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has announced that Norway will complete its acquisition of F-35 fighter jets by May 2025, following a year-long delivery pause. This final batch includes the remaining 12 jets from Norway’s order of 52 aircraft, initially placed to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft. (Picture source: US DoD)
According to the NDMA, the next four F-35s are scheduled to arrive in Norway in November 2024. Major General Øivind Gunnerud, Commander of the Royal Norwegian Air Force, highlighted the significance of this milestone. “The reception of the final upgraded F-35s will mark a crucial step in the acquisition of the F-35s,” he stated.
Since the arrival of the first six aircraft in 2017, Norway has taken delivery of 40 F-35s. Initially, all 52 jets were scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024; however, this timeline was revised due to delays associated with a major upgrade of the aircraft in 2023.
Colonel Tord Aslaksen, head of NDMA’s fighter division, acknowledged the risks of delays related to ongoing upgrades. Despite this, Norway chose to proceed with the enhancements to ensure the fleet benefits from the latest technological advancements.
The F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft designed to carry out a variety of missions, from air superiority to ground strikes and reconnaissance. Available in three versions—the F-35A for the US Air Force, the F-35B for the Marine Corps, and the F-35C for the Navy—it entered service between 2015 and 2019. With stealth technology and a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, the F-35 can reach speeds of Mach 1.6 (1,700 km/h) while minimizing its radar detection.
The F-35 is known for its versatile armament capabilities, carrying a 25 mm cannon and two internal weapon bays, with an additional capacity of 6,800 kg of weapons on external pylons. Its performance varies by version: the F-35C, optimized for naval operations, has a wider wingspan and a maximum range of 1,138 km. The aircraft reaches a ceiling of 18,500 meters and can cover over 2,800 km without refueling.
The F-35’s avionics include the AN/APG-81 radar and AN/AAQ-37 infrared sensor, providing advanced detection capabilities. The program represents a massive investment for the United States and its allies, with unit costs evolving over the years, reaching approximately $77.9 million for the F-35A in the latest production batch. The F-35 is designed to become a cornerstone of modern air defense, providing allied forces with durable versatility and technological superiority.
One of the F-35s currently in production will remain temporarily in the United States for testing purposes, where it will play a key role in evaluating the Norwegian-developed Joint Strike Missile (JSM), according to NDMA. The NDMA expects the remaining jets to be fully operational and stationed at Ørland Air Base by the end of May 2025, thus completing Norway’s advanced fighter fleet.