“Norway Paves the Way as the Trailblazing F-35 Partner to Achieve Key Milestone”
Lockheed Martin has successfully completed the transfer of the 51st and 52nd F-35As to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, marking Norway as the first F-35 partner nation to fulfill its program obligations.
“The F-35 is the leading fighter aircraft worldwide, and I am highly pleased that we will obtain the final units of the 52 jets commissioned from Lockheed Martin,” expressed Tore O. Sandvik, Norwegian Minister of Defence. “These aircraft guarantee our ability to safeguard Norwegian sovereignty and improve oversight of our domains on land, sea, and in the skies.”
The advanced capabilities and increased interoperability of the F-35 significantly enhance Norway’s national defense and cooperation with vital allies across Europe, especially with its nearest neighbors in the Nordic region. The F-35 fleet will play a crucial role in assuring the security of the High North and aiding NATO missions.
“Norway’s F-35 fleet enhances interoperability among the defense apparatus of the Norwegian Armed Forces, augmenting situational awareness throughout the entire force and reinforcing transatlantic security,” commented Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin. “We are honored to persist in our over 50-year partnership with Norway, ensuring that the Royal Norwegian Air Force remains equipped to confront emerging threats and maintain security for Norway and its allies for many more years to come.”
As a key element of the operational framework for 20 allied nations, the F-35 champions peace through strength in the 21st century. With upwards of one million flight hours and a formidable global fleet surpassing 1,150 aircraft, the F-35 provides unmatched capabilities, reinforcing deterrence for allies worldwide. F-35s are functioning from 48 bases globally, including 10 nations employing them domestically.
As adversaries swiftly advance technology, the F-35’s remarkable connectivity and its ability to synchronize with resources across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains are essential for securing airspace both now and into the future.
