Norway is looking to sell former Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighters
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| Norway is looking to sell former Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighters. |
On March 24, 2021, Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Norwegian Defense Materials Agency to maintain and make ready for sale two former Royal Norwegian Air Force F-16 fighters.
The aircraft will be made ready for sale to new owners, and the Norwegian Defence Material Agency expects to achieve commercial re-sale agreements for the upgraded aircraft.
The contract initially applies to two F-16 aircraft that the Royal Norwegian Air Force has taken out of service, with an option to overhaul up to three additional aircraft. The work on the aircraft will take place at KAMS’ facilities at Kjeller, near Oslo, and if the option is exercised the last three aircraft are expected to be ready at the end of 2021. The aircraft will be returned to operating status and then maintained so that they are ready for service again.
The aircraft will be made ready for sale to new owners, and the Norwegian Defence Material Agency expects to achieve commercial re-sale agreements for the upgraded aircraft.
The contract initially applies to two F-16 aircraft that the Royal Norwegian Air Force has taken out of service, with an option to overhaul up to three additional aircraft. The work on the aircraft will take place at KAMS’ facilities at Kjeller, near Oslo, and if the option is exercised the last three aircraft are expected to be ready at the end of 2021. The aircraft will be returned to operating status and then maintained so that they are ready for service again.
According to the company, a considerable percentage of the entire F-16 fleet may potentially be relevant for repair and making ready for sale. It also looks forward to future business related to the maintenance of these aircraft for potential new owners. They may be appealing to nations looking for 'cheap' second-hand fighter jets, as well as private 'Red Air' service providers.
“The Norwegian Defence Material Agency is making efforts to achieve the best possible sales gain on the sale of F-16s. Several nations will be selling their F-16 aircraft in the near future. Our market surveys show it’s a good idea to create an attractive offer as regards the aircrafts’ quality and remaining flight time. This contract with KAMS gives us such an opportunity,” says Jonny M Otterlei, Technical Director at the Norwegian Defence Material Agency.
“The Norwegian Defence Material Agency is making efforts to achieve the best possible sales gain on the sale of F-16s. Several nations will be selling their F-16 aircraft in the near future. Our market surveys show it’s a good idea to create an attractive offer as regards the aircrafts’ quality and remaining flight time. This contract with KAMS gives us such an opportunity,” says Jonny M Otterlei, Technical Director at the Norwegian Defence Material Agency.
The Norwegian government plans to retire the entire F-16 fleet at the end of the year as deliveries of its replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35A, progress.
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