The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has extended and expanded its contract with Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services to overhaul and make ready for sale a total of 32 F-16 combat aircraft. The agreement also includes technical assistance and support for the training of Romanian technical personnel. The contract value is above 700 MNOK. The F-16 combat aircraft will be returned to operating status and then maintained so that they are ready for service again. Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services has 40 years of experience in maintaining, repairing and upgrading Norway’s F-16 fleet.
“This agreement confirms our position as a partner and supplier of maintenance services to the Norwegian defense sector and our allies. This agreement secures and further develops important national expertise in fighter aircraft maintenance in Norway, which in turn will be valuable for the support and maintenance of F-35 aircraft in the future,” says Atle Wøllo, President of Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services.
“This agreement is important to be able to carry out the sale of the F-16 combat aircraft to Romania. The Norwegian F-16s are among the best maintained in the world, and central to this work has been the ongoing maintenance and upgrades that Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services deliver. I’m therefore confident that our aircraft will serve Romania well for years to come,” says Gro Jære, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Material Agency.
Romanian Air Force (RoAF) purchases 32 F-16 fighter jets from Norway for 454 million euros, with 354 million euros for the aircraft and 100 million euros for logistical support and specific modernization equipment from the US government. Norway is shedding its F-16 fleet as it continues work on transitioning to the F-35.When selling the F-16 fleet the NDMA have worked to also secure opportunities for Norwegian industry. In this particular case, to supplement the NDMA sale of aircraft and equipment, Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services has been chosen as a strategic partner, delivering support, maintenance and training of Romanian technical personnel.
