Norway declares IOC for F-35A
The Royal Norwegian Air Force’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35As has achieved initial operational capability (IOC), becoming the third European country to declare the milestone after Italy and the UK.
‘I would like to congratulate the Norwegian armed forces on declaring IOC with the F-35,’ Frank Bakke-Jensen, Norway’s defence minister, said.
‘This is a big day for the entire armed forces.’
Norway’s ministry of defence announced the milestone on 6 November following two years of intensive operational testing and evaluation (OT&E).
This two-year period saw the F-35A trialled in ‘special Norwegian conditions’, including winter operations, operations in the northern areas of the country, and joint operations with the Norwegian army, navy and special forces.
The OT&E period was concluded with the Norwegian armed forces transferring aircraft and equipment from its home base at Ørland Air Station to Rygge Air Station, which validated that the fifth-generation aircraft could be operated away from its main base.
Norway’s F35As will deploy to Iceland next year to conduct air policing efforts on behalf of NATO, and in 2022 the air force will have enough F-35s, pilots and maintainers to allow the aircraft to take over the ‘quick reaction alert’ mission, which is a 24/7 alert and scramble capability based at Evenes Air Station.
Norway plans to buy a total of 52 F-35As, according to the MoD.
More from Defence Notes
-
![US accuses Russia of using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine]()
US accuses Russia of using banned chemical weapons in Ukraine
Moscow was blamed for perpetrating multiple gas attacks with a choking agent against Kyiv’s armed forces.
-
![How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports]()
How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
-
![US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness]()
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
![Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?]()
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
![US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap]()
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
![NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls]()
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
