Norway is to scale back its air force and reshape its command structure as part of long-term defence planning.
As part of its Norway's Future Defence - Restructuring Norway's Defence Establishment 2002-2005 document, the government is proposing to integrate the chief of defence's headquarters within the ministry of defence by the end of 2004. This will tailor the command structure to a smaller force and peacetime operations, it says, adding that the number of command levels will be reduced.
The government says the move will better align Norwegian armed forces with the NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative and allow the country to more effectively contribute to alliance operations. It warns, however, that "within the period, there will be less room for new major equipment programmes".
As a result of the changes, 10 fighters will be removed from the frontline (but kept in reserve), leaving Norway with 48 operational Lockheed Martin F-16s. They will, however, be given additional roles beyond today's air defence missions. Numbers of transport and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) and utility helicopters will remain at current levels.
Norway's Armed Forces Task Force will include one fighter squadron, a single MPA, two transport aircraft, a helicopter unit and a mobile surface-to-air missile system.
Source: Flight International
