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
Famous quotes containing the word plans:
“Man you ought to see his plans for allsteel buildins. He’s got an idea the skyscraper of the future’ll be built of steel and glass. We’ve been experimenting with vitrous tile recently... crist-amighty some of his plans would knock you out... He’s got a great sayin about some Roman emperor who found Rome of brick and left it of marble. Well he says he’s found New York of brick an that he’s goin to leave it of steel... steel an glass.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)
“The important thing about travel in foreign lands is that it breaks the speech habits and makes you blab less, and breaks the habitual space-feeling because of different village plans and different landscapes. It is less important that there are different mores, for you counteract these with your own reaction- formations.”
—Paul Goodman (1911–1972)
“Architect. One who drafts a plan of your house, and plans a draft of your money.”
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914)