Norway Completes F-35 Fighter Jet Delivery and Begins Receiving Advanced Joint Strike Missiles

Norway has reached a major milestone in its defence journey with the successful delivery of all 52 of its F-35 fighter jets and the beginning of deliveries of the powerful Joint Strike Missile (JSM). This achievement marks a new chapter for the Norwegian Armed Forces, ensuring the country is better equipped to handle modern security challenges.

The official ceremony took place on Monday, 28 April at Ørland Air Base, attended by key leaders including Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik, NDMA Director Gro Jære, Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen, Air Force Chief Øivind Gunnerud, and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Director Eirik Lie.

A New Era for Norway’s Air Power

Norway’s decision to acquire the F-35 Lightning II, built by Lockheed Martin, was made back in 2009. The first training jets were delivered to Luke Air Force Base in the United States in 2015, and operational jets started arriving at Ørland in 2017. Now, with all 52 aircraft delivered, Norway becomes the first among the 20 F-35 partner nations to complete its planned fleet.

Globally, over 1,150 F-35 jets have been produced and are in service at 48 bases worldwide. Together, they have clocked more than one million flight hours, showcasing the aircraft's reliability and growing importance.

The F-35 isn’t just a replacement for the older F-16s — it’s a next-generation stealth fighter designed to perform in the most dangerous and modern air combat environments. Its advanced stealth, powerful sensors, and high-speed data sharing capabilities allow it to detect and strike threats long before being seen.

F-35 Lightning II: Key Specifications

• Top Speed: Mach 1.6 (approx. 1,975 km/h)

• Range: Over 2,200 km (without refueling)

• Stealth Technology: Advanced radar-absorbing materials and design

• Weapons Capacity: Internal and external weapons bays carrying air-to-air, air-to-ground, and precision-guided weapons

• Advanced Sensors: Distributed Aperture System (DAS), Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS)

Introducing the Joint Strike Missile (JSM)

Alongside the final F-35 delivery, Norway has started receiving the Joint Strike Missile — a powerful, long-range, precision-guided weapon developed by Norway’s own Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The JSM is specifically designed to be carried internally in the F-35’s weapons bay, preserving the aircraft’s stealth profile during missions.

It can engage both land and sea targets, making it a versatile and valuable addition to Norway’s arsenal. The missile is designed to be highly maneuverable and capable of striking well-defended targets from a long distance.

Joint Strike Missile: Key Specifications

• Range: Over 500 kilometers

• Speed: Subsonic, highly maneuverable

• Guidance: GPS, Inertial Navigation System (INS), and Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker

• Warhead: High-explosive blast fragmentation

• Compatibility: F-35 Lightning II and other fighter aircraft

The JSM’s development involved close cooperation between Norway’s defence sector, the Armed Forces, and international partners. It’s one of Norway’s largest-ever weapons programmes and has already attracted the interest of nations like the United States, Australia, and Japan, who have chosen to integrate the missile into their forces.

Strengthening Norway’s Defence

The combined arrival of a complete F-35 fleet and the JSM marks an important moment for Norway. It highlights the country's commitment to maintaining a modern, flexible, and powerful defence system capable of protecting its national interests and contributing to NATO missions.

Defence leaders emphasized that this is only the beginning, as technology will continue to evolve and Norway will keep upgrading its systems to stay ahead. The successful cooperation between the defence sector, Norwegian industry, and international partners has not only strengthened national security but also showcased Norway’s ability to deliver world-class defence technology.

As Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik put it during the ceremony, this achievement is something every Norwegian can be proud of — a testament to years of hard work, smart investment, and excellent cooperation.