F-35 Lightning II News

December 22, 2006 (by Lieven Dewitte) - While other international JSF partners signed the production phase MoU for the F-35, the Norwegian approvals to continue their involvement seem to slip into 2007, while it considers rival bids like the Gripen N.
While the first international Joint Strike Fighter partners signed for the Lockheed Martin F-35 production programme earlier this month, Norway seems to delay their decisions on participation until next year. The delay is caused because of questions in its legislature about its industry's share of F-35 related contracts.

Norway is expected to need more time to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the production, sustainment and follow-on development (PSFD) phase, which does not commit it to buying the F-35, but may need more time to gain national political approval, say program officials.

A Norwegian decision not to buy the F-35 could prompt a purchase of the Gripen.

The F-35 will not be available to international customers before 2014. Norway's fighter competition, which also pits the F-35 against the Gripen and Typhoon, is already under way, with a decision expected in 2008.

Gripen International has now received an invitation from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence to discuss a model for cooperation related to a possible replacement of the Norwegian F-16 fighter aircraft. The discussions will start early in 2007.

An enhanced standard of the Gripen new generation fighter, dubbed Gripen N, has been offered as an answer to a formal Request for Information earlier in 2006. The offer, backed by the Swedish Government, also includes Industrial co-operation and development on several levels.

A enhanced Gripen DK has also been offered to Denmark. Whereas the Gripen N has a longer range the DK has a greater payload.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to co-operate more closely with Norway so that in partnership we can pursue the best possible solution", says Gripen International Campaign Director Norway Hans Rosen as a comment to the invitation.

"We have already had very good and interesting discussions with the Government, representatives from political parties, the Armed Forces and Norwegian industry and we are really pleased to have the opportunity to take it one step further. It's an important step in the aim to put us on equal terms with other competitors."

SAAB indicated earlier this year that the Swedish repurchase agreement offered would be worth NOK 30 billion (~ USD 5 billion).