Lockheed Martin delivers final 2 F-35A fighter jets to Norway
Nordic nation had ordered 52 in all
Lockheed Martin has delivered the 51st and 52nd F-35A fighter jets to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, making Norway the first F-35 partner nation to fulfil its entire order of 52 aircraft. This milestone marks a significant achievement in Norway’s defence capabilities and its longstanding partnership with Lockheed Martin.
Tore O. Sandvik, Norway’s Minister of Defence, expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the order, stating: “The F-35 is the world’s best fighter jet, and I am very pleased that we will receive the last of the 52 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin that Norway has ordered. The aircraft ensures we can safeguard Norwegian sovereignty and maintain even better control over our areas on land, at sea, and in the air.”
With the final delivery of the F-35A jets, Norway is enhancing its ability to protect its sovereignty, strengthen national security, and contribute to NATO’s defence initiatives. The F-35A’s advanced technology provides Norway with superior capabilities in air combat and is designed to operate in diverse and challenging environments, including the High North, a strategically critical region.
Integrating the F-35 into Norway’s defence strategy also significantly bolsters its interoperability with NATO allies, particularly those in the Nordic region. With a highly advanced sensor suite and cutting-edge stealth capabilities, the F-35 offers a critical edge in offensive and defensive operations. The fleet will be essential in securing the skies above Norway and supporting NATO missions across Europe and beyond.
“Norway’s F-35 fleet enhances interoperability across the Norwegian Armed Forces’ defence systems, improving situational awareness for the entire force and strengthening transatlantic security,” said Chauncey McIntosh, Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 programme at Lockheed Martin.
“We are honoured to build upon our more than 50-year partnership with Norway, ensuring the Royal Norwegian Air Force remains ahead of emerging threats and continues safeguarding security for Norway and its allies for decades to come.”
As the F-35 fleet grows, it has established itself as a cornerstone of allied defence for 20 nations worldwide. With more than a million flight hours logged and a fleet of over 1,150 aircraft, the F-35 plays a central role in modernising military forces across the globe. F-35s are currently operational in 48 bases worldwide, with 10 nations flying the aircraft from their soil.
The F-35’s unmatched ability to seamlessly connect with other assets across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains is crucial to countering potential adversaries’ rapidly advancing capabilities. The aircraft’s advanced sensors and data-sharing capabilities enable it to operate effectively in a multi-domain battlespace, ensuring it remains a force to be reckoned with well into the future.
Norway’s F-35s represent a critical component of its military strategy, enhancing national security while reinforcing NATO’s collective defence framework. As geopolitical tensions rise globally, the fighter aircraft’s state-of-the-art features make it a pivotal asset for maintaining peace through strength.
The F-35s will continue to play a central role in safeguarding the High North and supporting NATO’s missions in the region, while also increasing Norway’s ability to respond to emerging threats.
Completing the F-35 programme for Norway is not just a victory for the nation but also highlights the growing importance of global defence cooperation in an increasingly complex security environment. As Lockheed Martin expands its F-35 programme worldwide, the aircraft will remain a symbol of technological innovation, strategic partnership, and deterrence.
Image: Norway’s F-35s represent a critical component of its military strategy. Credit: Angel DelCueto/Lockheed Martin
