Norway receives penultimate F-35As: the country now has 49 fighters
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has taken delivery of three new F-35A fighters. This brings the total number of these aircraft in the country to 49.
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Over the past three months, Norway has received nine F-35As, with the final three aircraft expected in the spring. In total, the country has ordered 52 aircraft of this type to replace its outdated F-16s.
The F-35 became part of the Norwegian Air Force in 2017, and in 2019, the country announced that it had achieved initial operational capability. In 2020, these fighters began patrolling NATO airspace. Norway made the decision to purchase F-35s back in 2008, and the first aircraft flew in 2015. The main bases for the F-35A are located in Erlann and Evens.
The new Norwegian F-35A. Illustration: Norwegian Ministry of Defence
In January, Norway became the first country to use biofuel blends to fuel F-35s. This became possible after Lockheed Martin's certification, which allowed the use of synthetic aviation fuel (SATF) in the amount of up to 50% in a mixture with traditional fuel.
In addition, Norway has deployed its F-35As to Poland to strengthen airspace protection. The fighter jets are deployed to the 31st Tactical Air Base of the Polish Air Force near Poznan, where they will be on constant combat alert as part of NATO's defence measures.
Source: Norwegian Ministry of Defence
