Signed its first F-35 contract

The Norwegian company AIM Norway on Wednesday 19 June signed its first contract with Lockheed Martin for work on the F-35 Lightning II. This means that yet another Norwegian company has become part of the industrial collaboration surrounding on F-35, which strengthens the potential for future value generation for Norwegian industry. The contract, valued at 8.36 million USD / approx. 47.8 million NOK covers surface coatings and final preparations for components of the tail fin on the F-35.

- This proves yet again that Norwegian small and medium-sized businesses are able to compete internationally in very important technology niches. It requires great precision and a commitment to quality, and that's exactly what Norwegian industry repeatedly has shown that it can deliver, says State Secretary Erik Øwre Thorshaug.

AIM Norway will initially deliver 36 sets of parts for the Italian production and assembly of the F-35, but the contract has the potential for several hundred sets. This means that the ultimate value of this work may be significant larger.

- Although this contract in itself may appear small, it is still very important for AIM Norway's position relative to Lockheed Martin. They now have the opportunity to demonstrate what they are good for and that they are a credible partner for future work, said Thorshaug.

AIM Norway is a state-owned enterprise established in 2011, based on the former Air Force Main Workshops. The company already has an important role in the maintenance of the current Norwegian F-16, and hopes to provide similar services for the F-35 in the future, and not just for Norwegian aircraft.

- It is very important to the Norwegian government that our defense industry is given the opportunity to participate in support and maintenance of the F-35 throughout the service life of the aircraft, which will extend far beyond 2050. Here AIM Norway has a lot of potential, especially on the engine side, and can potentially be part of the support of all F-35s that will be operated or stationed in Europe. That they now have a first food in the door is therefore very positive, says Secretary of State.

For further information or comments, please contact Defense Ministry press office on  +47 23096011 - fdinfo@fd.dep.no or Communications Advisor with the Norwegian Combat Aircraft Program Endre Lunde +47 90853270 - endre.lunde@fd.dep.no.

Facts about the Norwegian procurement of the F-35.

• Norway will acquire up to 52 F-35 combat aircraft to help ensure that its Armed Forces also in the future will be able to fulfill its tasks in the best way possible.

• The project is estimated to cost 62.6 billion real 2013 values. The overall Norwegian cost estimates have been stable since 2008.

• The first four F-35s will be used to train of Norwegian pilots, and were authorized by the Norwegian Parliament in 2011. The first two of these four aircraft will be delivered in the United States in 2015, and the last two in 2016.

• Parliament in June 2013 gave the government the authority to order the first six aircraft in the main body of the procurement. These will be delivered in 2017.