Norway Sign $8.36 Million F-35 Deal

Norway on 19 June signed its first contract with Lockheed Martin for work on the F-35 Lightning II.

The contract, valued at $8.36 million covers surface coatings and final preparations for components of the tail fin on the F-35.

“This proves yet again that Norwegian small and medium-sized businesses are able to compete internationally in very important technology niches. It requires great precision and a commitment to quality, and that's exactly what Norwegian industry repeatedly has shown that it can deliver,” Norway State Secretary Erik Øwre Thorshaug said.

Norway will initially deliver 36 sets of parts for the Italian production and assembly of the F-35, but the contract has the potential for several hundred sets. This means that the ultimate value of this work may be significant larger.

“Although this contract in itself may appear small, it is still very important for AIM Norway's position relative to Lockheed Martin. They now have the opportunity to demonstrate what they are good for and that they are a credible partner for future work,” Thorshaug said further.

Norway will acquire up to 52 F-35 combat aircraft, with the project estimated to cost 62.6 billion real 2013 values. The first four F-35s will be used to train of Norwegian pilots, and first two of these four aircraft will be delivered in the United States in 2015, and the last two in 2016.

Norwegian Parliament in June 2013 gave the government the authority to order the first six aircraft in the main body of the procurement. These will be delivered in 2017.