Eurofighter and Lockheed Martin are squaring up for a crucial battle in Norway. The European consortium Eurofighter is fighting to secure a Typhoon order from Norway, a long-established F-16 customer.
Bids have been submitted to the Norwegian air force, which is seeking 20 firm orders and 10 options for a multirole fighter for delivery in 2003-6. The order is valued at NKr10.7 billion ($1.4 billion). Greece is the only export customer to have selected the Eurofighter Typhoon so far.
The Eurofighter nations - Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK - have invited Norway to join the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency. The offer allows Norway to participate in future programmes, but does not affect development and production of aircraft for the partners.
Lockheed Martin says it is offering Norway a "range of options", based on the F-16 Block 50 covering different capabilities and price. The aircraft will share some systems with Norwegian F-16As after the present Mid-Life Upgrade.
Norway requires 100% industrial offset and Eurofighter says it has offered a NKr27 billion industrial package. As well as direct work on the Typhoon, the offer covers joint worldwide sales and marketing opportunities.
Lockheed Martin acknowledges the importance of the competition and says it is working hard to meet the industrial participation requirement.
Source: Flight International
