Norway is making good on its promise to keep three aircraft in the running for its future fighter aircraft competition, and next month is expected to take the final formal step to establish the level playing field between competitors. Oslo found itself in a political pickle late last year when the deadline approached to commit to the next phase of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, even though the country does not need to start fielding aircraft until 2016-18.
The compromise: In addition to putting a signature and money against the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Norway would do the same for the Saab Gripen (top photo) and the Eurofighter Typhoon. Oslo has now come through for the Swedes, with a two-year, $25 million cooperation agreement. This will allow for the continuation of a “balanced competition” until Oslo makes its fighter choice in 2008. A similar deal with Eurofighter is due to be signed May 15. Eurofighter first signed an industrial participation agreement with Norway in 2003.
All this is further evidence that Norway intends to have a real competition rather than flirting with the European suitors and then leaping into the arms of the JSF program. That was also the strong impression left by an airpower conference in Trondheim, Norway, earlier this year. It was apparent that Norway is weighing several factors in its decision:
(Pictured at right: JSF launching internally-carried Joint Strike Missile)
- The biggest point in favour of the JSF is Norway’s experience with the F-16. The purchase of F-16s by Norway, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands has been the most successful fighter export program in history.
- The F-16 program (and the F-104 and F-5 before it) has resulted in an air force with strong US connections.
- Norway’s culture is wealthy (from oil) but fiscally prudent. JSF does not offer a fixed price for a 2008 order; its rivals both do.
- Industrial participation is important – and an area where the Gripen and Typhoon teams are willing to go farther than JSF. However, Lockheed Martin has struck a deal with Norwegian missile maker, Kongsberg, to work together on the NSM anti-ship missile, now renamed the Joint Strike Missile. It’s the only cruise missile small enough to fit in the JSF’s weapon bays.
- During the Cold War, it was Norwegian air force pilots who were forever intercepting Soviet aircraft (and photographing them, to the great joy of NATO intelligence) over northern waters. Norway is very, very wary of a resurgent Russia, and the combat air patrol mission is a big deal.
The deal is being taken very seriously by both Eurofighter and Gripen International. The latter plans to talk in detail at the Paris air show about plans for an upgunned Gripen for Norway and Denmark. The key changes: a new main landing gear in underwing fairings, making room for 40 per cent more internal fuel, and a bigger engine, such as the GE F414.
--Douglas Barrie in London and Robert Wall in Paris
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