The Norwegian Armed Forces have announced that two of their F-35 fighters landed on Wednesday at the Sola base as part of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s dispersal concept.
This development aligns with the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s dispersal concept, aiming to utilize multiple bases for operational flexibility beyond the primary Ørland base. It is worth noting that Norway is a strong supporter of Ukraine’s defense effort and shares a border with Russia.
“Sola is precisely that base, which also has some military infrastructure,” stated the Norwegian Armed Forces in an official release.
The Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35, emphasized Norway’s partnership in the F-35 program, dating back to the Development and Systems Demonstration phase.
The Norwegian government’s decision to replace the F-16 fleet with the F-35 was made in November 2008. The first F-35A for Norway was unveiled in September 2015 at a formal ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.
Norway’s strategic plan involves expanding its F-35 fleet to 52 by 2025, with the retirement of all F-16 aircraft at that point.
Source and photos: Norwegian Armed Forces | Forsvaret