Norwegian F-16s to be retired this year 2021

[Gary]

According to Scamble Norwegian F-16s to be retired this year

The Luftforsvaret (RNoAF, Royal Norwegian Air Force) will retire its current fleet of F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcons by the end of the year.

According to the proposed 2022 Defence Budget, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that from 2022 the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II would be only fixed-wing fighter aircraft in service. At this moment, the RNoAF has 31 operational F-35As, of which 10 are operated by the 62nd Fighter Squadron xx at Luke AFB (AZ) for training purposes. Three more Lightning IIs are expected to be delivered to Norway this year.

Norway plans to complete the deliveries of 52 F-35As by the end of 2024, but this might slip a bit due to delayed production and component delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2021, Scramble Magazine reported on the possible commercial sale of F-16s. The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) contracted Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services (KAMS) to maintain a number of F-16s that already had been taken out of active service and make them ready for commercial re-sale. It is not known how many F-16s will be made ready for this possible commercial re-sale.

According to Key Aero, the Forțele Aeriene ale Romaniei (FAR, Romanian Air Force) is interested to buy two squadrons of former RNoAF F-16AM/BM fighters.

Photo by Peder Mathisen

https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/r ... y-end-2021

[Blackcat1]

That's so sad. I've been following them since the early 80s

[Thunder]

Out of the Blue announcement, but I suppose it was inevitable. The F-16 a constant feature in Northern European skies since the late 70's will probably disappear in the next 5 years, with the exception of Poland's more modern fleet.

[Alf]

Out of the Blue announcement, but I suppose it was inevitable. The F-16 a constant feature in Northern European skies since the late 70's will probably disappear in the next 5 years, with the exception of Poland's more modern fleet.

Slovakia also has new build F-16s on order, as well as Bulgaria… both these orders similar spec to Poland.

[Canberra TT.18]

Out of the Blue announcement, but I suppose it was inevitable. The F-16 a constant feature in Northern European skies since the late 70's will probably disappear in the next 5 years, with the exception of Poland's more modern fleet.

Slovakia also has new build F-16s on order, as well as Bulgaria… both these orders similar spec to Poland.

Romania Turkey and Greece also operate F-16s but they are not part of Northern Europe. Nor is Bulgaria.
And of course the USAFE operate F-16s including from a northern European base: SP.

But F16s will be around in Europe for some 20-40! Years although in much smaller numbers then in the 80 and 90s

[TonyO]

Out of the Blue announcement, but I suppose it was inevitable. The F-16 a constant feature in Northern European skies since the late 70's will probably disappear in the next 5 years, with the exception of Poland's more modern fleet.

Not out of the blue, Norway was always retiring the F-16s in 2022, it just got accelerated, they were struggling to keep both operational.

[POL]

Slovakia also has new build F-16s on order, as well as Bulgaria… both these orders similar spec to Poland.

Both have ordered Block 70, somewhat more advanced than a Block 52 or even 52+, which is what Poland and Greece have.

As an aside, why do conformal tanks on an F-16 look so awful?

[Vulcanone]

As an aside, why do conformal tanks on an F-16 look so awful?
[/quote]

Maybe that is why nobody has used them on Typhoons

[TonyO]

Slovakia also has new build F-16s on order, as well as Bulgaria… both these orders similar spec to Poland.

Both have ordered Block 70, somewhat more advanced than a Block 52 or even 52+, which is what Poland and Greece have.

As an aside, why do conformal tanks on an F-16 look so awful?

Heretic!

[Supra]

EGVP is a trusted source of good facts but clearly more dubious when it comes to opinions?
I'm with TonyO on this one! Not only do the conformal tanks make for a more 'muscular' & purposeful appearance but the F-16 2-seaters look better in that enhanced fit-out! IMHO.
Then again, "Opinions are like a*sholes.... Everybody has one."

[paddyboy]

Even an F16 fitted with conformal tanks is prettier than the flying t@rd that is the F35B

That’s imho, of course

[raptor9]

Morning Patrick. There is absolutely no point in building attractive fighters, because NOTHING will get better than a Hunter!!!.Regards.

[seven]

^^^ True that.

[TonyO]

Morning Patrick. There is absolutely no point in building attractive fighters, because NOTHING will get better than a Hunter!!!.Regards.

I feel the Mirage III/V/50/2000 edge the Hunter out ever so slightly...

[Thunder]

No no no!! F-104, out classes them all

[Red-Eye-Knight]

What a shame they are being retired as i have seen some awesome special schemes on the Norwegian F-16 over the years, The Battle of Britain scheme from RIAT 2018 sticks out for me as we will never see anything like that on their replacements.