Oslo, April 3, 2025 - Norway marked a historic milestone in military aviation by becoming the first nation to fully acquire its ordered fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets, totaling 52 aircraft. This achievement, celebrated by the Joint Program Office (JPO) and the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF), underscores Norway’s strategic position as a NATO member sharing a border with Russia, amplifying the significance of this development amid ongoing regional tensions. The final two F-35A variants were delivered to Ørland Air Base, completing a procurement process that began with Norway’s participation as a Level 3 partner in the F-35 program’s development phase. This delivery not only bolsters Norway’s defense capabilities but also highlights the F-35’s role as the world’s most widely operated fifth-generation stealth aircraft, designed to counter advanced threats with its cutting-edge technology.
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The F-35 Lightning II, a product of Lockheed Martin’s ambitious Joint Strike Fighter initiative, integrates stealth, sensor fusion, and advanced avionics, making it a cornerstone of modern air forces. For Norway, a nation with a 196-kilometer border with Russia in the Arctic, the aircraft enhances deterrence and interoperability within NATO. Colonel Egil Soerstroenen, the RNAF’s F-35 JPO National Deputy, emphasized its strategic value, noting that the jet serves as a “powerful tool for strategic deterrence, enhancing alliance-based security and discouraging potential aggression.” This capability is particularly relevant given Russia’s military activities in the region, including its development of the Su-57 stealth fighter, which, while operational, lags behind the F-35 in production scale and global deployment.
Despite this milestone, the F-35 program has not been without challenges. The 2024 Annual Report from the Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) revealed persistent issues, particularly in software development and testing. The report highlighted delays in the Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) upgrade, a critical component of the broader Block 4 modernization plan, which includes enhanced processors, memory systems, and cockpit displays. These upgrades are essential for unlocking new mission capabilities, yet the program has struggled to meet timelines. Production of TR-3-configured jets began in mid-2023, but the U.S. government halted deliveries until July 2024, when JPO Director Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt deemed the software stable enough for safe operations. However, developmental testing continues, with operational testing not expected until mid-2026, raising concerns about the aircraft’s readiness for evolving threats.
Norway’s completion of its F-35 fleet, valued at an estimated $769 million per jet over their operational lifetime, reflects a long-term investment in national security. The country contributed $125 million during the development phase, securing industrial opportunities and replacing its aging F-16 fleet. The RNAF now operates 52 F-35As, with some stationed in the U.S. for training, showcasing a commitment to maintaining a robust defense posture. While the program’s “major issues” persist—cost overruns exceeding $1 trillion globally and technical hurdles—Norway’s achievement signals confidence in the F-35’s transformative potential. As Russia’s neighbor, Norway leverages this stealth platform to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank, navigating the balance between technological ambition and operational reliability in an increasingly contested geopolitical landscape.