Norway has become the first international partner nation to receive its full fleet of F-35A fighter jets, following the delivery of its 51st and 52nd aircraft by Lockheed Martin.
The announcement, made on 1 April 2025, marks the completion of Norway’s programme of record for the fifth-generation aircraft.
Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik stated, “The F-35 is the world’s best fighter jet and I am very pleased that we will receive the last of the 52 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin that Norway has ordered.” He added that the fleet enhances Norway’s ability to monitor and secure its land, sea, and air domains.
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has been integrating the F-35A into its operations since the first deliveries began, with the aircraft intended to replace the country’s ageing fleet of F-16s. The full fleet will be used for both national defence and NATO operations, including in the Arctic and High North regions.
According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35’s advanced sensor suite and networked systems support interoperability with allied forces. “Norway’s F-35 fleet enhances interoperability across the Norwegian Armed Forces’ defence systems, improving situational awareness of the entire force,” said Chauncey McIntosh, vice president and general manager of the F-35 programme.
Norway’s participation in the multinational F-35 programme includes industrial contributions and long-term sustainment partnerships. The country has also hosted F-35 training exercises alongside other European operators of the aircraft.
The global F-35 fleet now exceeds 1,150 aircraft, operating from 48 bases across 10 countries. The platform has accumulated over one million flight hours and continues to be delivered to partner nations under various production blocks.
Australia completed it’s acquisition of F-35’s in December 2024, which I’m pretty sure makes them the first country to receive all of its F-35’s, not Norway.
No because Australia only reached its final number by cutting the number of jets it planned to buy by 28. That’s like saying the UK is almost completed it’s buy because it has nearly 48 and it hasn’t ordered anymore.
It still states it will be ordering 138.
Australia placed confirmed orders for 72 F35A in 2014 despite some early speculation about greater numbers. This number (72) has been locked in and budgeted for more than a decade.
In the end Australia decided to buy more Super Hornets and Growlers to round out the RAAFs rather than additional F35s.
So your information is wrong. There has never been an order from the Australian government for more than 72 aircraft.
There is renewed speculation about buying an additional squadron of F35s by the opposition leader during the current federal election but unltil he is elected to government the 72 in service represents the full complement of aircraft ordered.
I suggest I’m not wrong and ABC agrees with me that the planned purchase of 28 more F35’s was canceled by the current labour government and further more the coalition is campaigning on buying the 28 more.
So it’s up for debate if Australia will be getting more like it always planned for. Norway planned 52 and got 52.
The LNP was in power in 2014 when the 72 F35 aircraft were ordered. If the LNP believed the RAAF needed 100 plus aircraft they had every opportunity to order them. The LNP also ordered the Super Hornets in 2007.
When the Labor party was in government it honoured the contracts for both the F35s and SHs and accepted delivery of all aircraft.
There are always discussions in defence circles looking at the pros and cons of different weapons systems, trying to crystal ball future defence threats and competition for limited resources between the three services. But behind doors debates or think tank discussions are not government policy or procurement orders.
Governments of all persuasions have hard decisions that they need to make about allocating scarce resources and the relative allocation to air, sea or ground forces.
By the time of the Albanese government’s Strategic Defence Review in 2023 (two decades on from the original F35 order) the air defence technology options expanded to include loyal wingman systems, EW and ISR (Growler, Triton, Peregrine), long range strike missiles (LRASM, JSM) and emerging 6th gen programs (NGAD, Tempest) – all competing for resources and needed to be factored into forward planning.
The fact remains that no order for additional F35s was cancelled because no official order for F35s beyond 72 ever existed. This is just an attempt at political point scoring by the LNP and sensationalist journalism.
Given the current Trump government’s attitude to its allies and doubts about access to F47s, it may be just as well that no further F35s were ordered. Australia may be better served by joining the Tempest program.
Why do you keep posting complete and utter crap that everyone else has to waste time checking and then posting the facts? What drug are you on this weekend?
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It has to be one of the worst aspects of the Trump era is it’s affects on the F35 program. This is an amazing platform built and developed right across the western world purpose built to defeat Russia both in the air and on the ground.
A fighter that’s never lost any competition it ever entered will be lucky to ever get another sale again except to Chinese and Russian client states like Saudi and India.
Lockheed Martin will likely cease to exist in the next five to ten years.
😂
Absolute bollox
Do you ever have anything positive or constructive to say David, the Bollox crap and similar obscenities to anyone you take a dislike to, are getting somewhat boring and clearly the intent is purely disruptive in nature. Even the spam adverts are more constructive… or Howard Lutnick.
Yes Australia was first. The final 3 of 72 F35As arrived on 18 December 2024.
However, that may not be the end of F35 deliveries to the RAAF. Australia is in the midst of a federal election campaign and the leader of the opposition has proposed a buy of an additional squadron of F35s (presumably another 24 to take the total fleet to 96) if elected.
This has opened up a debate about the merits of buying F35Bs rather than more of the A variant. Proponents argue that they could be used on the Canberra class LHDs (although they have a ski jump they would require some flight deck modifications for the F35 – Spain’s Juan Carlos on which the Canberras are based conducts fast jet operations with Harriers).
This would in effect give Australia two small escort carriers (say a flight of 8 F35Bs on each). Or one LHD providing fast jet strike or local air superiority while the other conducts amphibious operations alongside the ADFs other amphibious assets which include HMAS Choules to be joined by an additional 8 3,000 tonne LCHs and 18 smaller LCMs.
The F35Bs would also give the RAAF the option to operate from forward austere airbases/highways. The U.S. Marines are already practicing these operations with its B variants in preparation for ‘shoot and scoot’ style operations in the Pacific theatre. The RAAF already is experienced with forward arming and refueling points (FARP) from C130s for ADF helicopters.
The issue for the Canberra class is they removed much of the fixed aviation support capability from the original Juan Carlos design. Restoring it is probably prohibitively expensive.
Rubbish
Oh good Elon’s 4 year old is back. 🚀
Commented before on this and opinion appears to be that the airbases are secure or jets will be dispersed before the bear attacks. I’m a civilian but is F35A first choice when neighbours with Russia.
The RNAF did not consider back in the 1970s replacing their F-5s with Harriers. They even went for the single engined F-16 over many objections due to potential risks their rugged and isolated countryside and never regretted it. Nor did they select the F-35B.
When it out turn 😟
Our 🙄