Just before Christmas, it became clear that the majority of the Norwegian F-16 aircraft that have retired from the Norwegian Air Force will continue to serve NATO. – now with red, blue and yellow cockade on the tail and under the wings.
32 fighter jets have been sold to Romania. The Romanian procurement has a total cost framework of 454 million dollars, corresponding to approximately four billion kroner.
What will be the Norwegian share of this, is being negotiated now.
Competence transfer
Immediately after the Romanian parliamentary decision, Defense Materiel (FMA) announced on 22 December that they are in the process of detailing and finalizing the contract between the nations, and that the aircraft will be maintained before delivery.
Delivery is scheduled to take place in 2023 and 2024.
FMA director Mette Sørfonden stated that in the sales process they have been concerned that the contract will also provide income to Norwegian industry. Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (Kams) has been chosen as a strategic partner.
Kams director Atle Wøllo informs Teknisk Ukeblad that they are the main partner in connection with putting the F-16 aircraft in salable condition so that they will be operational and maintained when they arrive. in Romanian hands.
– This involves significant work on a good portion of the aircraft. In addition, we will be the FMA’s partner to build maintenance systems in Romania and enable local industry to perform maintenance on the F-16 in a long-term perspective, Wøllo writes in an email.
At least ten years left
This preparation is quite similar to the phase inspection which ensures a new 300 hours for each aircraft, a work that basically takes four to five months depending on the type of discrepancy that is discovered in the inspection. The aircraft, which are ready for sale, are stored in a newly built hall at Kjeller.
The FMA has also signed a contract for the sale of up to 12 F-16s to American Draken International. These are planes that will be delivered already this year.
According to Wøllo, Kams has a similar role in this trade, but that the planes going to the USA are to a greater extent sold as the is.
The first Romanian planes are going to Escadrila 53 Vânătoare. This squadron, stationed at Baza 86 Aeriană in Borcea in the southeast of the country, currently operates 17 F-16s purchased second-hand from Portugal.
Norwegian F-16 over Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Photo: NORDETMAN / Forsvaret De The Norwegian Block 15 aircraft were produced at the Fokker factory in the Netherlands in 1982-1984 and will in that case have time to celebrate their 50th anniversary in Romania before they are phased out for good – an achievement which, among others, those who designed and maintained the aircraft deserve. for.
For Kams, the F-16 work comes on top of an already strong growth in the business.
The company has an engine depot at Rygge where they perform maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO & U) of the F135 engine located in F-35.
After Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 partnership, only the Netherlands and Norway share the European market for F135 maintenance. Engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney asked the two nations to increase capacity.
Kams has responded that they can handle two to three times the volume that was originally planned. In addition to some other business opportunities the company still keeps to itself, this is something that in the coming years will require a couple of hundred new employees at Rygge.
Kams is owned by Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace (KDA) and Finnish Patria (50.1 / 49.9 percent). In addition, KDA owns 49.9 percent of Patria.
Patria has a central role in the Finnish F-35 procurement and will, among other things, build front fuselage parts for approximately 400 aircraft in the first instance and set up a facility for final assembly of F-135 engines. In addition, there will be production and maintenance of several components in Finland.
– It is a bit early to say how the synergies will unfold, we will know more about this in the course of 2022. But that there are great and exciting opportunities that now open up, there is no doubt, said
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