Norwegian F-16 fighters fly their last mission
Norway bids farewell to the last of its F-16 fleet, pictured above. (Photo: Norwegian MoD)
Norway has retired its fleet of F-16 fighter jets, which have been in service since 1980, as its new F-35s join the country’s air force.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has announced its F-16 fighter jets flew their last mission on 6 January before new F-35s take over as the nation’s main fighter platform.
The Bodø Air Base will also be retired as Quick Reaction Alert missions will be performed from Evenes Air Station, which is based at a more northern location.
The Norwegian MoD tasked the nation’s Defence Materiel Agency to lead the retirement of the F-16 in September 2019 as the nation received its first few F-35s.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, Oslo took delivery of the first F-35A in 2017 and put 22 aircraft into service as of March 2020.
By 2025, all 52 of the ordered F-35s will be in service.
Many of the F-16s will not be retired from service but instead sold as second-hand aircraft.
On 20 December 2021, the Romanian parliament approved the acquisition of 32 Norwegian F-16 jets. The Norwegian MoD estimated that Romania has a budget of €454 million ($515 million) for this purpose.
In the same month, a contract was signed with Draken International to sell up to 12 F-16s for training in the US.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium trajectory continues to climb (updated 2026)]()
Why Embraer’s C-390 Millennium trajectory continues to climb (updated 2026)
The medium airlift aircraft is swiftly becoming the top pick for an array of countries wishing to enhance their tactical transport capabilities.
-
![USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026]()
USAF’s T-7A Red Hawk programme progresses with low-rate production to start in 2026
The T-7A Red Hawk advanced trainer for the US Air Force reaching Milestone C is the first step towards production for the first batch of 14 aircraft, with training expected to start by 2028.
-
![Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story]()
Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
-
![Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030]()
Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
-
![Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market]()
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.
