the Lightning IIs will be equipped with an air-
launched version of the Norwegian Naval
Strike Missile developed by Kongsberg
Defence and Aerospace – the Joint Strike
Missile (JSM). Norway’s first three F-35As
were delivered to its F-35A main operating
base at Ørland in central Norway in November
2017 with the expectation that the station will
receive a further six aircraft annually up to- There will also be a forward operating
base at Evenes in northern Norway. To date,
Norway has received 19 aircraft, of which 12
are currently based at Ørland assigned to
332 Skvadron, plus seven located at Luke
Air Force Base in Arizona for training. With
three more set to be delivered to Ørland
this autumn, it’s expected that Norway
will have received the minimum number
(15) required to achieve initial operating
capability (IOC) by the end of the year.
The transition scheme for Norway’s
ageing F-16 fleet, currently based at Bodø,
appears straightforward. Plans call for
the fleet of 57 aircraft to serve until the
end of 2021, with flight hours reducing as
more F-35As are introduced. Following
the disbandment of 338 Skvadron on April
1 this year, 331 Skvadron at Bodø is now
the RNoAF’s sole frontline F-16 unit.
Poised for Poseidon
Elsewhere, Norway is also awaiting the
arrival of its five Poseidon P-8As, ordered
this January for delivery by 2022. These will
eventually replace the nation’s six P-3C/N
Orions and the three Dassault Falcon
20ECMs that serve with 717 Skvadron
based at Oslo/Gardermoen Airport.
Norway’s transport requirements will continue
to be met by its four C-130J-30 Hercules
flown by 335 Skvadron at Oslo/Gardermoen
airport for the foreseeable future. While
there will be no further upgrades for the
P-3s or Falcons, since Norway is part of the
C-130J Joint User Group, future upgrades
will take place to ensure the Hercules fleet
is configured to the latest standard.
Combating the resurgent threat posed
by Russian forces in the North Atlantic
and Baltic Sea is imperative for Norway,
and these new aircraft – supported by
a fully ASW qualified NH90 NFH – will
significantly enhance the RNoAF’s capability.
Interoperability with partner nations is vital,
and this will continue within maritime patrol
following the declared intention for the UK’s
P-8A Poseidon operational and logistic
support facilities at RAF Lossiemouth in
Scotland to be extended to cover Norway.Elsewhere, Norway has received the initial
five of 16 AW101 Mk612s, with the first of
six new AW101 search and rescue bases at
Stavanger/Sola due to become operational
by the end of December. Ørland will be next,
and the intention is to establish an AW101
presence at each future base every six months,
with each station taking approximately six
months to get up to speed. The latest AW101
Mk612 delivery (Norway 06), took place on
March 20, and a further five (Norway 07 to 11)
are currently in production at the Leonardo
Helicopters manufacturing facility at Yeovil
in Somerset. Deliveries of the 16 aircraft are
scheduled to be completed by the end of next
year; co-ordinated with the withdrawal of the
veteran Sea King Mk43B fleet, which has a
scheduled out-of-service deadline of 2021.
The Norwegian people have a huge affinity
with their Sea King helicopters, which have
served with 330 Skvadron – Norway’s
dedicated SAR and air ambulance squadron –
so well since they were introduced in 1972. In
that time, they have rescued over 40,000 people
(see Kings of the Arctic, February, p60-64).
Despite the challenges, this is an
extremely interesting and positive time
for the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
There is much to look forward to.Above: Sea King Mk43B serial 330 during an avalanche rescue exercise. Responsibility for search
and rescue within the RNoAF falls to 330 Skvadron. The unit operates 12 Sea Kings across six bases
covering the north and south of the country. A pair of Sea Kings is located at each of the bases and
falls under 139 Air Wing. Markus Anderstig/Forsvaret Left:A Norwegian NH90 helicopter on board the
KV ‘Senja’ – one of the coast guard’s Nordkapp-class offshore patrol vessels. After well-publicised
teething troubles, Norway’s NH90 programme now has the impetus to move forward in the manner
originally expected, subject to good spares availability, maintenance capacity and increasing aircraft
numbers. Torge ir Haugaard/Forsvaret Below:Norway’s new search and rescue helicopter, the AW101
Mk612, visits Sola air base in conjunction with the opening of a new hangar there for 330 Skvadron, in
June 2017. At the time, the aircraft still wore its temporary British military serial ZZ102. It now serves
in an OT&E role as serial 0265. Martin Mellquist/ForsvaretNordic air power
48 // September 2019 #378 http://www.airforcesmonthly.comAFM44-48 NorwayRestructures AFM Sep2019.indd 48 8/5/2019 9:47:23 AM