Draken is shopping around Europe, looking for the best deals on F-16 MLUs that are being replaced by F-35s. First were the 12 F-16s from the Netherlands, and now it’s another 12 to be decommissioned by the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNAF).
On Monday, Nov. 22, Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency director Mette Sørfonden signed an agreement to sell the F-16 aircraft to Draken International, and on Thursday, Dec. 2, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense issued a press release informing of the sale, to the U.S. contractor, of up to 12 F-16s and associated equipment.
– The F-16 has served the Norwegian Armed Forces and the nation very well for over 40 years until their replacement by the F-35. The Ministry of Defence has been clear on their wish that Norwegian F-16s should see continued use by others within the NATO alliance. We are therefore pleased that the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has agreed to sell up to 12 aircraft to Draken International, a company offering services to the US military. We also continue our discussions with NATO allies about the sale of several Norwegian F-16s. I therefore look forward to seeing our aircraft remaining in active service for some time, said Minister of Defence Odd-Roger Enoksen.
The contract itself includes the sale of up to twelve aircraft and equipment necessary to operate the aircraft.
– I am very pleased that we at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency have secured a first agreement for the F-16s. These are among the most well-maintained combat aircraft in the world and are overall in excellent technical condition, which will provide years of solid service to Draken International, said Director General of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, Mette Sørfonden.
Transfer to Draken International in the United States is expected to happen in 2022, pending formal approval by the US and Norwegian governments. The contract also provides opportunities for Norwegian industry, including maintenance of the aircraft in advance of delivery.
– We will continue our efforts to sell as many of the remaining aircraft as possible, and hope to be able to conclude further agreements within the next few months, said director Mette Sørfonden.
For this contract to become effective, it must receive approval from the Norwegian and U.S. governments, but no major delays or impediments are foreseen.
Draken will have (for now) 24 F-16 A/B MLU in excellent maintenance condition, to which they can easily squeeze a decade of intensive use. And nothing indicates that Draken’s «shopping spree» in Europe is over. Another country that is replacing its old F-16s with the F-35 is Denmark. There could be news from there soon.
