OSLO - Norway has signed on to a multinational program order 43 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters from Lockheed Martin's eighth production batch of aircraft. Norway's share of the order involves two F-35s, thus bringing the total number of contracted Norwegian fighters up to four. The first Norwegian order occurred on June 15, 2012.
Once handed over the four fighters will be based at the JSF "schoolhouse" at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and used for training and familiarizing Royal Norwegian Air Force pilots with the F-35. The first two training units will be delivered in 2015, followed by the second batch of two in 2016.
Norway is currently negotiating its contract for the next production batch, referred to as LRIP 9. Ultimately Norway plans on procuring up to 52 of the fighters at the estimated cost of NOK66.2 billion ($9.63 billion). Under this plan the Royal Norwegian Air Force is to receive six new units per year from 2017 through 2024. Each yearly purchase will need separate funding approval from the country's parliament.
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