Plans
The RNoAF will conduct several investments in the coming years. First the European helicopter NH-90 will be introduced to replace the Lynx helicopters as a ship-borne helicopter, but the Air Force also have an option of buying an additional 15 Search and rescue helicopters to replace its aging Sea King helicopters. The aging F-16AM fighter will be replaced from 2016. On 20 November 2008, the prime minister of Norway Jens Stoltenberg announced that the F-35A was the only fighter fulfilling all the Norwegian requirements and thus the preferred choice . Stoltenberg stated that cooperation with the Nordic countries on defence and security would continue independently of the F-35 purchase.
According to the 2012 White paper, a number of changes are proposed:
- A National Air Operations Centre will be established at Reitan, outside Bodø.
- The Control and Reporting Centre at Mågerø will be closed.
- Ørland will become the main operating base for the F-35 as well as NASAMS II and the deployable base defence units.
- Evenes will house a Quick Reaction Alert detachment when the F-35 replaces the F-16.
- As F-16 operations wind down in the early 2020s, Bodø will close as an Air Station.
- Helicopter operations will be consolidated at Bardufoss with detachments:
- Bell 412 in South East Norway.
- NH90 NFH at Haakonsvern.
- SAR detachments of 330 Squadron at current locations.
- The 3 DA-20 aircraft will move from Rygge to Gardermoen. 720 Squadron will be merged with 339 Squadron at Bardufoss, and Rygge will close as an Air Station.
7 June 2012, The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Norway for 2 C-130J-30 United States Air Force (USAF) baseline aircraft and associated parts, equipment, logistical support and training for an estimated cost of $300 million.
Read more about this topic: Royal Norwegian Air Force
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