Royal Norwegian Air Force

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (or RNoAF) is the youngest branch of the Norwegian armed forces. Established in 1944, it has a peacetime strength of about 7,200 (of which 4,200 are officers and civilians, while 1,500 are conscripts). After a mobilisation, the total force will be around 20,000 soldiers.

Related Topics:
Norwegian - Officers - Civilian - Conscripts - Mobilisation

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The infrastructure of the RNoAF includes seven airbases (Banak, Bardufoss, Bodø, Ørland, Sola, Rygge and Gardermoen), two control and alert stations (Gråkallen and Mågerø) and two training centers (Kjevik and Kuhaugen).

Related Topics:
Airbase - Banak - Bardufoss - Bodø - Ørland - Sola - Gardermoen - Mågerø - Kjevik

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The RNoAF is organized in six Air Wings. These are divided into a total of ten squadrons of planes as well as two anti aircraft battalions. The operational force consists of 57 F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft, six NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) batteries, 12 Sea King rescue helicopters, 6 P-3 Orion maritime surveillance aircraft, 6 Hercules transport aircraft, 6 Lynx helicopters, 18 Bell 412SP helicopters, 3 DHC-6 Twin Otter 100/200 light transport, 2 Dassault Falcon 20 EW and 1 Dassault Falcon 20 VIP plane.

Related Topics:
F-16 Fighting Falcon - NASAMS - Surface to Air Missile System - Sea King - Helicopter - P-3 Orion - Hercules - Lynx - Bell 412SP - DHC-6 Twin Otter 100/200 - Dassault Falcon 20 - EW

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The RNoAF will conduct several investments in the coming years. First the European helicopter NH-90 will be added to the fleet. During a five year period the Government will also decide the future of the transport aircraft fleet, and decide which new fighter aircraft to buy in 2010. Concerning the fighter aircraft the main competition is between the European Eurofighter and the American F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with SAAB JAS 39 Gripen and Dassault Rafale still not being ruled out.

Related Topics:
NH-90 - Eurofighter - F-35 Joint Strike Fighter - JAS 39 Gripen - Dassault Rafale

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