The news conference
was billed as an order announcement, but the customer came to lobby the top
leadership of the F-35 programme in full view of the press.
Rear Adm Arne Røksund, a career submariner and now head of Norway's
defence policy, made a plea for the F-35 joint programme office to integrate
the Kongsberg Joint Strike Missile (JSM) even as he confirmed Norway's decision
to buy four F-35 training jets for delivery in 2016.
The missile is one of Norway's top priorities for a successful
industrial participation programme as part of its commitment to buy dozens more
F-35s starting in 2018, he said.
Røksund's remarks were directed to journalists attending the F-35 press
briefing, but it was clear that his message was intended for F-35 deputy
programme executive Maj Gen C.D. Moore seated nearby.
Moore duly responded that the programme is currently assessing all
potential candidates for integration as part of the Block IV software upgrade
scheduled for delivery in 2019. Norway's JSM is one of the candidates under
review, with a final decision next year, Moore added.
That timing happens to correspond with a pending decision by Norway's
parliament to make to commit to buying at least 48 F-35s. Norway's military
intends to buy as many as 56, Røksund said, but that depends on final costs.
Norway has budgeted about $865 million to buy the first four F-35As, but
"there is uncertainty on top of that number", Røksund said.
As Norway's four aircraft on order will serve as trainers, Lockheed will
deliver the jets to Eglin AFB, Florida. Before further F-35s begin arriving in
Norway after 2019, Lockheed will add a braking parachute to slow the jets on
icy runways.
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