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Norway considers pulling out of the JSF program
April 15, 2004 (by
Eric L. Palmer) -
Norway considers to pull out of the JSF project. At issue is Norway's part of the work share, which is one of the most common misunderstandings about the JSF project.
Norway joined the U.S.-led consortium that develops the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter in June 2002. In return for its $143 million contribution, Norwegian defense companies expected to get contracts from the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin.
Now two years later, only negligible contracts have filtered down to Norwegian businesses. The chairwoman of the Norwegian parliament's defense committee, Marit Nybakk gave the United States until June to make good on the deal.
There is however one thing that Norway might be overlooking namely the fact that the workshare for JSF is based on best value of the vendor doing the work, not just because of signing on to the JSF program and laying down some cash.
The Norwegian government already made clear in the past that it has not excluded rival aircraft, like the Eurofighter, when the time comes to replace its F-16 MLU fleet. Norway is also involved in that project, too.
Norway is expected to decide which fighters to buy before 2008.
The planes will cost as much as US$40.5 billion to develop, according to Pentagon documents released in January.
Other nations participating in the programme include the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, Italy, Turkey and Singapore.
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have also shown interest in the plane, Bob Trice, senior vice-president for corporate development at the company, said last month.
Now two years later, only negligible contracts have filtered down to Norwegian businesses. The chairwoman of the Norwegian parliament's defense committee, Marit Nybakk gave the United States until June to make good on the deal.
There is however one thing that Norway might be overlooking namely the fact that the workshare for JSF is based on best value of the vendor doing the work, not just because of signing on to the JSF program and laying down some cash.
The Norwegian government already made clear in the past that it has not excluded rival aircraft, like the Eurofighter, when the time comes to replace its F-16 MLU fleet. Norway is also involved in that project, too.
Norway is expected to decide which fighters to buy before 2008.
The planes will cost as much as US$40.5 billion to develop, according to Pentagon documents released in January.
Other nations participating in the programme include the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Canada, Italy, Turkey and Singapore.
Japan, South Korea and Taiwan have also shown interest in the plane, Bob Trice, senior vice-president for corporate development at the company, said last month.
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