Lockheed Martin has delivered the final two F-35A aircraft ordered by the Royal Norwegian Air Force, part of a total of 52 planes. This makes Norway the first partner nation to complete its F-35 program of record.
According to the aerospace manufacturer, the new fleet will enhance Norway’s national defense and collaboration with allies, particularly within the Nordic region and across Europe. The company said Oslo’s F-35s will also be critical in safeguarding the Arctic region and supporting NATO operations.
“Norway’s F-35 fleet enhances interoperability across the Norwegian Armed Forces’ defense systems, improving situational awareness of the entire force and strengthening transatlantic security,” Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program at Lockheed Martin, said in a statement. “We are honored to build upon our more than 50-year partnership with Norway, ensuring the Royal Norwegian Air Force remains ahead of emerging threats to protect security for Norway and its allies for decades to come.”
Norway received its first six F-35 aircraft in 2017, with subsequent deliveries of six aircraft annually. While the initial completion date was set for 2024, upgrades and updates resulted in a revised timeline. Norway is one of the eight international partners of the United States that founded the F-35 program, currently managed by the Pentagon’s F-35 Joint Program Office.
In addition to Norway, the F-35 is stationed at 48 bases worldwide and deployed by 20 allied nations, including Israel, Italy, South Korea and Singapore.