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Norway Seeks 20 Eurofighters or F-16s

February 9, 1999 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Norway said on Wednesday it wanted to buy 20 jet fighters and would choose between Eurofighters or U.S. -built F-16s.
The Defense Ministry said it issued a letter of procurement on Wednesday asking manufacturers of both for offers to supply 20 jets in the period 2003 to 2010 with an option for 10 additional aircraft.

Norway has long planned to buy new combat jets to replace aging F-5sand earlier generation F-16s. It has said that the choice would be between the Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 50N and the Eurofighter but it had not published details of the numbers. The requests are for 20 aircraft delivered within the time period2003-2010. The suppliers are requested to offer alternative payment- and delivery schedules.

The requests also include a demand for 100 percent offset, under which Norwegian industry would be guaranteed the equivalent of the total cost of the order in other contracts.