Joint Strike Fighter, the Right Choice for the Future Norwegian Air Force
Abstract
The Norwegian government's decision to purchase the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) promises to be the largest governmental contract in Norwegian history. According to official figures released to the press, the 48 JSFs will come at a cost of approximately 18 billion Norwegian kroner (NOK), and a life-cycle cost of 130 billion NOK over 30 years. This controversial decision has incited zealous infighting among the Norwegian people. Many Norwegians believe that such a large contract should have been awarded to a European producer for either the Eurofighter or the Swedish JAS 39 Grippen. The author contends, however, that the Norwegian government's decision to purchase the F-35 was the correct one. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the best aircraft for the future of the Norwegian Air Force because it not only offers superior airframe performance, stealth capability, and interoperability, but it also will ensure predictable security politics in the future. The focus of this paper will be the security cooperation aspects of the purchase. Though other important issues have been taken into consideration, such as cost and airframe capabilities, these issues fell dead as the final report stated that the JSF was militarily superior and less expensive than the Swedish alternative. The most important aspect of the transaction is its effect on Norwegian security politics. Being a small country, Norway's relationship to its allies is important, and the JSF contract will keep Norway's relationship to the United States and NATO in good standing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA517789
Entities
People
- Stein Engen
Organizations
- Marine Corps University