Giske challenged Lockheed Martin

 

- Lockheed Martin must take concrete measures that need to produce results soon if our ambitions for industrial participation in connection with the combat aircraft procurement are to be achieved, said Trond Giske after his visit to Lockheed Martin aircraft company at Fort Worth, Texas.

Giske visited the factory in Fort Worth along with Defense Minister Grete Faremo. The purpose of the visit was to clarify to Lockheed Martin that the Norwegian authorities expect a substantial improvement of the contents of the industrial plan related to combat aircraft acquisition.

The Government's aim is that the value creation associated with industrial cooperation will be of the same magnitude as the total value of the procurement.

Giske and Faremo were accompanied by Managing Director of the NHO John G. Bernander, president for defense and security industry association Torbjørn Svensgård, Finn-Kristian Aamodt from Innovation Norway and a broad-based business delegation.

The Norwegian strategy towards Lockheed Martin has been designed in close collaboration between industry and the Norwegian authorities. - In addition to improving the content of the industrial package, we want to emphasize the variety of the Norwegian defense industry both in terms of large and small businesses, technological expertise and the type of mission, Giske said.

The Norwegian Storting gave approval to start negotiations with a goal to acquire the combat aircraft F-35 from Lockheed Martin in June 2009. The plan is to purchase 48 aircraft, with an acquisition cost of around 18 billion kroner for the planes alone. The combat aircraft project has an estimated economic framework of 42 billion kroner, including weapons systems and logistical support.

 Pictures from the visit: