With the delivery of the last two F-35s, the Royal Norwegian Air Force is now the first operator to receive all aircraft upon request.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force (Luftforsvaret) and Lockheed Martin announced on April 1, 2025 The arrangement of the Scandinavian country of 52 F-35a Lightning II Fighters is completed, with the last two aircraft pilots that were delivered to the Ørland Air Force Base. With the landing of 5826 and 5823 aircraft in Orland on April 3, Norway is now the first F-35 partner to fulfill a program (Por).
Ronaf said that the Norwegian defense authorities will celebrate the completion of the F-35 delivery operations with a separate event in Orland later in April. The service was announced IOC (Initial Operational Power) of the F-35A Fleet on November 6, 2019, just two days after the second anniversary of access Among the first three aircraft in the country on November 3, 2017. The first plane, Tail 5087, was unveiled in Ronaf colors and its signs September 2015.
Norway is among the 11 European users of the plane. These include:
- UK (36 out of 48 F-35BS was delivered, with a commitment to expanding to 74 aircraft and Por from 138 F-35s);
- Italy (29 F-35AS and 10 F-35BS delivered, Por from 60 F-35AS and 30 F-35BS with the announcement of 25 other aircraft);
- Denmark (21 out of 27 ranks);
- Holland (40 out of 52 F-35AS, with the announcement of other six plans);
- Poland (Four F-35A was delivered from 32)
- Belgium (The first two F-35as to be delivered from 34)
- Germany (35 f-35as on the contract)
- Greece (20 f-35as on the contract)
- Czech Republic (24 f-35as on the contract)
- Romania (32 f-35as on the contract)
Among the other operators are Israel, Australia and South Korea Japan. turkeyCoables were kept due to a dispute over the Russian S-400 air defense system and the country was removed from the F-35 program, although the request to re-launch it was submitted.
Including the largest operator, the United States, the World Fleet of the F-35, which includes more than 1150 aircraft of a million hours, and operates from 36 bases and 12 ships worldwide, according to Lockheed Martin monthly updates.
A big day for Norwegian defense
A statement of the country’s Minister of Defense in the country, “The Best Fighter in the World,” quoted a statement of the country. The minister also explained, “The plane guarantees that we can confirm the Norwegian sovereignty and maintain better control of our areas on the ground, at sea, and in the air.”
The commander of the atmosphere 132 at the Gerland Air Station, Colonel Oli Marius Torrespuba, described this as a “big day” for the entire Norwegian Air Force and Armed Forces. “The plane was delivered according to the schedule, with only a slight delay,” said Colonel Tuterisplass. “We are very grateful to suppliers and all agencies that have contributed to this. We have already operated the F-35 for many years and we are very satisfied with the development of the combat aircraft system.”
.Norwayambusa Anniken Huitfeldt join us to celebrate the ferries trip to two F-35As to @LUFT defense fleet. @Thef35 They are the favorite aircraft of allies around the world, as they are unparalleled surreptitious and intercourse. pic.twitter.com/vqpzb1ntky
– Lockheed Martin (@lockheedmartin) April 3, 2025
Lockheed Martin emphasized “advanced capabilities and increased inter-operation” from F-35 with other European users in the plane, including its closest neighbors in the North region, “and it plays” an important role in protecting North North and supporting NATO missions.
The Vice President of Lockheed Martin and Director General of the F-35 Chauncey Mcintosh Program to “the improvement awareness” and the enhancement of “via Atlantic security” from the F-35. “We are honored to build on our partnership, which lasted for more than 50 years with Norway, ensuring that the Norwegian Norwegian Air Force has to advance the emerging threats to protect security for Norway and its allies for decades.”
“With the advances of technology advanced, the unparalleled F-35 connection and the ability to work in partnership with the assets that operate across the earth, the sea, air, area and cyber are necessary to secure the sky today and to the future.”
🇳🇴 The fragile drop of the last delivery of the F-35 to Norway.
The last two F-35a aircraft landed at a air station and wind in Norway today. pic.twitter.com/dcxz7jkene
Vegard stensnæs (@n4_o13) April 3, 2025
Norwegian F-35s roles
The Norwegian F-35AS played a vital role in NATO tasks, after the ghost fighters in Loffitt officially Take over QRA duties (Rapid Reaction Alert) from the F-16 Fleet/BM on January 6, 2022. unveil In June 2024, the mountain barn that was reactivated at the Barduffoss Air Station, in northern Norway.
The barn and facilities have been activated for 40 years, but now, given the excellent protection provided by mountain features, they are promoted to allow their use today. The goal is to be able to disperse the fighters, harbor them from drones and missile strikes, and be able to work from multiple locations.
“Test the concept of dispersion for F-35”
Norwegian Norwegian Air Force F-35S in an underground complex/mountains at Bardufoss Air Force Base.
Photo: Martin Meloyette / Defense pic.twitter.com/dbaohljts
Thord Ariversen (@the_lookout_n) June 13, 2024
In 2023, the F-35AF started in Rnoaf in 2023. Training in the highways and unprepared paths in dispersed sites, with two aircraft Work outside the road bar In Finland for the first time on September 21. The Norwegian F-35S contributed to the interception of Russian military aircraft, with reporting the latest measures on the morning March 10, 2025When two f-35as from Evennes “to determine and shade” two Russian strategic bombers Tu-142 in the international airspace.
This morning, two Norwegian F-35S launched from the evening to determine and shade two Tu-142 Russian Bear F in the international airspace. The periodic plane was working off the coast of Troms, where it exercised sports #Cointviking25 It is happening. These trips are routine. #Wearenato pic.twitter.com/d7hoheutsn
Norwegian Armed Forces Defense (@Fordevare_ No) March 10, 2025
F-35 delays, logistical fears and political geography
Canada and Portugal He recently said they are reconsidering their participation in the F-35 program about the diplomatic difference with the United States. Regardless of geopolitical conflicts, fears also continue to rely on Washington on spare parts and advanced aircraft components and promotions, which greatly impedes their operational capacity, as we indicated in Extensive analysis Here in Flying.
The delays and accumulation were experienced in issues with Technology update-3 (TR-3) promotions, aimed at enabling the capabilities of mass 4, which leads to several aircraft Accumulate In Lockheed Martin facilities since July 2023, in 2023, the former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall attributed a great deal of technical, technical and costs with the F-35 program to “The wrong acquisition” The presence of the main contractor Lockheed Martin to deal with the largest part of sustainability created a “permanent monopoly”.