JSF : Norway joins the 2nd phase

OSLO – Norway decided to join the second phase of the development of the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter), a decision which does not forecast however a choice of the next aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. “The Norwegian government decided to continue its participation to the JSF, after having already taken part in the initial phase since 1996”, declared Martin Lohne, spokesman of the Norwegian ministry of Defense. “This choice does not want to say that we will choose finally the purchase of the JSF and the two other competitors preserve all their chances”, it added. The Norwegian contribution to the second phase will be of a little more than 1 billion Norwegian crowns (137,3 M EUR) over the period ranging between 2002 and 2012. The JSF of Lockheed Martin Corporation is in competition with the Rafale of Dassault Aviation and Eurofighter Typhoon of European EADS and British BAE Systems. About 48 MRCA could be acquired by Norway to replace its current F-16, that is to say a contract of a value ranging between 30 and 50 billion Norwegian crowns (between 3,9 and 6,5 mds EUR). Mr. Lohne specified that the final decision of Norway should be made in 2008. The United Kingdom, Canada and Denmark — which should be joined by the Netherlands — already also committed themselves taking part in the second phase of development of the JSF.