Norway Completes F-35 Fleet Delivery, Receives First Joint Strike Missile for Stealth Fighters

Norway this week marked two major developments in its defense modernization efforts with the delivery of the last two F-35 fighter jets and the arrival of its first Joint Strike Missile (JSM), a precision weapon designed to be carried internally by the F-35.

With the completion of its full fleet of 52 F-35s, Norway has reached a milestone in its air power transformation. The final three jets were delivered by Lockheed Martin on April 1, although one aircraft remains in the United States for ongoing testing with the JSM. The tests are part of a software update required to unlock the full potential of the fighter's next upgrade package.

Maintenance work is already underway at Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services, where F-135 engines are being serviced. Later this year, a new facility for airframe maintenance is expected to open, further supporting the fleet.

In parallel with the fleet’s completion, the Norwegian Armed Forces also received the first JSM, a long-range strike missile that enhances the F-35's ability to hit high-value targets from a stand-off distance of about 350 kilometers (217 miles). The JSM is the only missile in its class capable of being carried inside the F-35’s internal weapons bay, allowing the aircraft to maintain its stealth and operational range.

The missile is designed to engage both land and naval targets and is equipped with infrared seekers, passive guidance, and two-way communications. It also features a low radar signature and can fly at low altitudes, reducing the risk of detection and interception.

“This is a capability that has previously been reserved for the major powers,” said Brigadier Jarle Nergard, Head of Defence Materiel Air Capabilities. “With the F-35 and JSM, it means that an adversary must take into account that Norway can strike targets such as naval vessels, radars, and command centers at great distances, without help from our allies.”

Developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in cooperation with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency and the Norwegian Defence Research Institute, the JSM has also been selected by Australia, Japan, and the United States.