How Much for the Norwegian F-35?

Norway's deputy defense minister said that the purchase of 50 F-35 will be realized at prices similar to those initially agreed in 2008. In fact, they can be three times higher.


The costs of the development of F-35 are getting higher. Smaller will be the order. Both of these factors call into question the initial financial assumptions of the whole program / Photo: USAF

Responsible for purchases of military equipment to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, Roger Ingebrigsten last week visited the Lockheed Martin plant in the U.S., was also a meeting with representatives of eight other countries, participants in the JSF program.


After his return said that parliamentarians will submit a detailed report within two weeks. Already, however, revealed that he hopes to reach agreement on terms similar to those negotiated in 2008, and for the purchase of about 50 fighters .

3.5 years ago, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence has selected a Lockheed Martin. The field remained defeated Swedish Saab, proposing a new generation Gripeny. The contract for the purchase of 48 new multi-role fighters would be worth 18 billion Norwegian kroner (2.54 billion USD). The total cost, including infrastructure, development, training and service in the 30-year period of operation was assessed at 145 billion crowns, or 20.7 billion.

These data led to the consternation of Swedes whose financial offer was for about 24 billion crowns. They said they do not know on what basis Oslo based its calculation. The opposition also pointed to manipulate the dollar conversion factor to the crown - to use the most favorable values.

The case is even more complicated that until recently the Ministry of Defence has estimated that the purchase of 56 Lightningów II will cost 61 billion kronor, the equivalent of $ 10.9 billion, or up to 72 billion kronor, according to the accepted methodology for estimating the costs of purchase. The difference is at the same time enormous. The unit price of 2008 is merely the equivalent of 68 million USD, while the last estimation was 194 million USD, which is closer to the current Pentagon spending on the F-35 with low-volume production.