Defense & Military
Norway Opens Domestic F-35 Maintenance Facility to Boost Defense
Norway launches a new F-35 maintenance hub in Rygge to enhance national security and fleet readiness under Kongsberg Aviation Services.
In a significant move to bolster national sovereignty and defense readiness, Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services has officially opened a new, state-of-the-art maintenance facility for the F-35 fighter jet fleet in Rygge, Norway. This development marks a pivotal shift from relying on international partners for significant aircraft upkeep, to establishing a robust, domestic capability. The facility, formally known as the National Air Vehicle Depot, is set to handle heavy maintenance, complex upgrades, and modifications for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s F-35s, ensuring the fleet remains at peak operational readiness.
The inauguration of the Rygge depot on October 23, 2025, represents more than just an expansion of industrial infrastructure; it is a strategic investment in Norway’s long-term security and its commitment to the NATO alliance. By bringing this critical function in-house, Norway reduces its dependence on external supply chains and gains direct control over the maintenance schedules and priorities for its most advanced defense asset. This move is expected to enhance the operational availability of the F-35 fleet, which is a cornerstone of the nation’s defense and a key contributor to NATO’s collective security posture.
The establishment of this facility is the culmination of a close and strategic partnership between Kongsberg, the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, and the F-35’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin. It builds upon a decade-and-a-half of industrial cooperation, positioning Norway not just as an operator of the F-35, but as a key contributor to the aircraft’s lifecycle and sustainment ecosystem. This national hub will be instrumental as the Royal Norwegian Air Force works to declare its full fleet of 52 F-35s fully operational in 2025.
The decision to establish a national maintenance depot at Rygge signifies a deliberate and strategic pivot for Norway’s defense policy. Previously, medium-duty maintenance for the Norwegian F-35 fleet was conducted at a regional facility in Cameri, Italy. While effective, this arrangement placed a critical component of national defense readiness outside of direct domestic control. The new Rygge facility repatriates this essential capability, providing the Norwegian Armed Forces with greater flexibility, security of supply, and the ability to rapidly respond to national and allied defense needs.
This transition to self-sufficiency is a direct response to the evolving security landscape and the need for resilient defense infrastructure. By localizing heavy maintenance, Norway mitigates potential logistical delays and bottlenecks that can arise from international dependencies. This ensures that its fighter fleet, based primarily at Ørland Air Station, can be maintained and upgraded efficiently, maximizing its availability for both national defense and NATO missions.
Gro Jære, Director General of the Norwegian Defence Material Agency, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating it ensures “more flexible and robust support for Norwegian combat aircraft.” This enhanced national control is not just a matter of convenience; it is a fundamental strengthening of Norway’s ability to independently manage and sustain its premier air combat capability for decades to come.
“This facility is much more than just a new building. It represents a strategic investment in national security… Expertise in the industry is being built, and the operational readiness of our fighter aircraft is strengthened.” – Marte Gerhardsen, State Secretary at Norway’s Ministry of Defence.
The new 5,000-square-meter facility is a significant industrial development, strategically co-located with the F-135 engine maintenance depot that opened in 2020. This creates a comprehensive aerospace hub at Rygge Air Station, concentrating a critical mass of technical expertise and resources in one location. The synergy between the airframe and engine depots streamlines the entire maintenance process, fostering efficiency and innovation.
The economic and industrial impact of this hub is substantial. When fully operational, the combined facilities are projected to employ over 200 highly skilled personnel. This not only creates jobs but also plays a crucial role in retaining and developing critical aeronautical expertise within Norway. As Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, noted, the facility helps “maintain the critical aeronautical expertise that has been built up over several decades.” This investment in human capital is as important as the physical infrastructure. By fostering a domestic center of excellence for 5th-generation fighter maintenance, Norway ensures it has the sovereign knowledge base to support the F-35 throughout its operational life. This expertise is a national asset that enhances both industrial competitiveness and military capability.
The establishment of the Rygge depot occurs within a broader context of the F-35’s growing importance in European security. By 2030, it is projected that over 400 F-35s will be operating from NATO bases across the continent. While this common platform enhances interoperability, it also presents logistical challenges. A 2025 report from the Rand Corporation highlighted potential difficulties in cross-servicing aircraft between nations due to differing equipment standards and data-sharing protocols.
By creating a sovereign maintenance depot, Norway is proactively addressing some of these global sustainment challenges on a national level. The facility reduces the strain on the wider F-35 global support network and provides a robust solution for ensuring the readiness of its own fleet. This move towards greater self-sufficiency in maintenance could serve as a template for other European F-35 operators looking to enhance their operational readiness and national control over critical defense assets.
Furthermore, the Rygge facility has the potential to serve allied nations in the future, further strengthening NATO’s collective defense posture. A resilient, distributed network of maintenance hubs across Europe can improve the overall robustness of the F-35 program, ensuring that the alliance’s most advanced fighter capability remains effective and sustainable in the face of technical challenges, software upgrades, or parts shortages that can affect the global fleet.
The opening of the Kongsberg F-35 maintenance facility at Rygge is a landmark achievement for Norway. It represents a decisive step towards sovereign control over a critical defense capability, ensuring the long-term operational readiness of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s F-35 fleet. This strategic investment strengthens national security, enhances supply chain resilience, and fosters a vital hub of aerospace expertise that will benefit the nation’s industry and defense for years to come.
Beyond its national significance, the Rygge depot is a valuable contribution to the strength and resilience of the NATO alliance. By ensuring its fleet is maintained to the highest standards domestically, Norway reinforces its role as a credible security partner. As the F-35 becomes the backbone of European air power, national initiatives like this will be crucial for sustaining the collective defense of the alliance and ensuring that its technological edge is matched by robust and reliable logistical support.
Question: What is the main purpose of the new facility in Rygge? Question: Who owns and operates the maintenance depot? Question: How does this facility change Norway’s F-35 maintenance strategy? Question: What is the economic impact of the Rygge facility?
Norway Fortifies National Defense with New Domestic F-35 Maintenance Hub
A Strategic Shift Towards Sovereign Capability
The Rygge Aerospace and Defense Hub
Broader Implications for NATO and the Global F-35 Program
Conclusion: A Milestone for Norwegian and Allied Security
FAQ
Answer: The facility is a National Air Vehicle Depot designed to conduct heavy maintenance, upgrades, modifications, and improvements for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s F-35 fighter jet fleet.
Answer: The depot is owned and operated by Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services under a long-term agreement with the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Answer: It marks a shift from sending the aircraft to a facility in Cameri, Italy, for medium-duty maintenance to having a sovereign, domestic capability. This enhances national control, strengthens supply chains, and increases the operational availability of the F-35 fleet.
Answer: The new depot, co-located with an F-135 engine maintenance facility, will form an aerospace hub. When fully operational, the combined facilities are expected to employ over 200 people, retaining and developing critical aeronautical skills within Norway.
Sources
Photo Credit: Kongsberg
Defense & Military
Iranian Army Helicopter Crashes in Isfahan Market Killing Four
A Bell 209 helicopter crashed in Isfahan’s market, killing four. Officials cite technical malfunction amid challenges with Iran’s aging military fleet.
An Iranian Army helicopter crashed into a busy wholesale fruit and vegetable market in the central province of Isfahan on Tuesday morning, resulting in four confirmed fatalities. According to reporting by Reuters and Iranian state media, the incident occurred in the city of Dorcheh, located in Khomeyni Shahr County, approximately 330 kilometers south of Tehran. The crash marks the second fatal military aviation accident in the country in less than a week, raising further questions regarding the operational safety of the nation’s aging air fleet.
State media outlets, including IRNA, confirmed that the casualties included the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot, as well as two civilians described as merchants working at the market. The helicopter reportedly suffered a “technical malfunction” while conducting a routine training mission, causing it to descend rapidly into the market compound. Footage broadcast on state television showed emergency responders, including the Red Crescent Society, extinguishing a fire amidst mangled metal and debris scattered across the market stalls.
While Western outlets like Reuters primarily identified the aircraft as an “Iranian Army helicopter,” local reports and aviation monitors have identified the airframe as a Bell 209 (AH-1J SeaCobra). This attack helicopter is a legacy platform originally acquired from the United States prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a detail that underscores the persistent logistical challenges facing Iran’s armed forces.
The crash occurred during the morning hours of February 24, 2026, a time when the wholesale market was active with vendors. According to the official account provided by state media, the impact killed the two military personnel on board instantly. The two civilian victims were vendors present at the site of impact. Emergency services were reportedly quick to respond to the subsequent fire, preventing further loss of life in the densely populated market area.
Iranian officials have attributed the disaster to mechanical failure rather than pilot error or external hostilities. In a statement carried by state television, authorities emphasized the training nature of the flight.
“The pilot and co-pilot were killed in the incident… due to a technical malfunction.”
, Statement via IRNA/State TV
This explanation aligns with a pattern of official attributions in recent years, where technical issues are frequently cited as the primary cause of aviation hull losses in the region.
This incident in Isfahan is not an isolated event but part of a troubling cluster of recent aviation accidents in Iran. Just days prior to the market crash, an F-4 Phantom fighter jet, another U.S.-built aircraft from the pre-revolutionary era, crashed during a training flight in the western province of Hamadan. That accident resulted in the death of one pilot and further highlighted the risks associated with operating vintage military hardware. Observers also recall the high-profile crash in May 2024, which claimed the life of then-President Ebrahim Raisi. That incident involved a Bell 212 helicopter and was attributed to a combination of severe weather conditions and technical limitations. The recurrence of these accidents suggests systemic issues within the maintenance and operational protocols of Iran’s aviation sector.
The following section contains analysis by AirPro News based on historical fleet data and geopolitical context.
The crash of a Bell 209 (AH-1J SeaCobra) in 2026 serves as a stark reminder of the material reality facing the Iranian military. The backbone of Iran’s air force and army aviation relies heavily on American-manufactured airframes purchased in the 1970s. Under normal circumstances, military aircraft of this vintage would have been retired or undergone deep modernization programs with manufacturer support decades ago.
However, decades of stringent Western sanctions have severed Iran’s access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spare parts and authorized maintenance services. As a result, Iranian engineers have been forced to rely on:
While Iran has made significant strides in domestic drone technology and missile production, the maintenance of complex manned rotary and fixed-wing aircraft remains a critical vulnerability. The province of Isfahan, where this crash occurred, is a strategic military hub housing major air bases and nuclear facilities. The inability to guarantee the safety of routine training flights in such a sensitive region poses a significant challenge to the operational readiness of the Iranian armed forces.
What type of helicopter crashed in Isfahan?
While Reuters referred to it generally as an Iranian Army helicopter, local reports and aviation experts identified it as a Bell 209 (AH-1J SeaCobra), an attack helicopter model acquired by Iran before 1979.
How many people died in the accident?
Four people were confirmed dead: the pilot and co-pilot of the helicopter, and two civilian merchants working at the fruit market. What was the cause of the crash?
Official Iranian state media (IRNA) cited a “technical malfunction” as the cause of the crash. No evidence of foul play or external attack has been presented.
Has this happened recently?
Yes. This crash occurred less than a week after an Iranian F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed in Hamadan province, and follows the high-profile 2024 helicopter crash that killed President Ebrahim Raisi.
Sources: Reuters, IRNA (State Media), Tasnim News Agency, Associated Press
Fatal Aviation Accident Strikes Central Iran
Details of the Crash in Dorcheh
Casualties and Immediate Aftermath
Official Statements
Context: A Week of Aviation Tragedies
AirPro News Analysis: The Cost of Sanctions and Aging Fleets
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo Credit: Associated Press
Defense & Military
Turkish Air Force F-16 Crashes Near Balıkesir Killing Pilot
A Turkish Air Force F-16 crashed during a mission flight near Balıkesir, resulting in the pilot’s death. Investigation into the cause is ongoing.
This article summarizes reporting by Times of India and TOI World Desk.
A Turkish Air Force F-16 fighter jet crashed during a mission flight in the early hours of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, resulting in the death of its pilot. The aircraft went down in the western province of Balıkesir shortly after taking off from a local air base.
According to reporting by the Times of India, the jet was assigned to the 9th Main Jet Base Command. Contact with the aircraft was lost minutes into the flight, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation that subsequently located the wreckage near a major highway.
The F-16 reportedly took off around 00:50 local time for a scheduled mission. Radar and radio contact were lost shortly after departure. Footage circulating on social media and cited by the Times of India appears to show the aircraft descending near the Istanbul-Izmir highway, followed by a fire at the impact site.
Emergency teams, including police and medical units, were dispatched to the scene immediately after the alarm was raised. The wreckage was discovered scattered across a wide area near the highway, confirming the total loss of the airframe.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense confirmed the pilot’s death in a formal statement. Officials used the term “martyred” to describe the loss of the service member. Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu also addressed the incident publicly.
“One of our F-16 aircraft belonging to the squadron of the Balıkesir 9th Main Jet Base Command crashed during a mission flight around 00:50, and one of our pilots has been martyred.”
Balıkesir Governor İsmail Ustaoğlu (via Times of India)
The Balıkesir Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a judicial investigation into the crash. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that prosecutors have visited the site to begin their examination. As of Wednesday morning, the specific cause of the crash, whether technical failure or other factors, remains under investigation. The 9th Main Jet Base in Balıkesir is a critical hub for Turkey’s F-16 operations, often hosting “Cobra” and “Tiger” squadrons. While F-16s are a staple of the Turkish Air Force, night mission accidents highlight the inherent risks of high-tempo military aviation operations. The proximity to the Istanbul-Izmir highway suggests the pilot may have been attempting to avoid populated areas or infrastructure during the descent, though this will only be confirmed by the flight data recorder analysis.
Sources: Times of India
Flight Details and Crash Timeline
Official Statements and Investigation
AirPro News analysis
Photo Credit: X
Defense & Military
Virginia Approves $97.7M Incentive for Avio USA Rocket Factory
Avio USA plans a $500M solid rocket motor factory in Virginia with 1,000+ jobs, backed by a $97.7M state incentive package.
This article is based on an official press release from Avio.
Avio USA, the American subsidiary of Italian aerospace leader Avio S.p.A., has selected Hurt, Virginia, as the site for a new solid rocket motor (SRM) manufacturing facility. According to an official announcement from the company, the project represents a capital investment of more than $500 million and is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in Pittsylvania County.
The selection follows the approval of a significant incentive package by state officials. Subject to final sign-off by the Virginia General Assembly, Avio USA will be eligible for a Major Employment and Investment Project (MEI) special appropriation of up to $97.7 million. The facility will focus on producing motors for defense systems, tactical propulsion, and commercial space sectors.
The new facility aims to address critical supply chain needs in the U.S. defense industrial base. In a company press release, Avio USA CEO VADM (Ret.) James Syring emphasized that the factory would directly support efforts to ramp up missile production for government customers.
“With more than a century of propulsion leadership, Avio’s proven capabilities, industrial expertise, and enduring legacy uniquely position us to strengthen and scale the U.S. defense industrial base.”
, VADM (Ret.) James Syring, CEO of Avio USA
Governor Abigail Spanberger welcomed the deal as a “historic investment” for Southern Virginia. She noted that the project would revitalize domestic production of essential defense technologies while boosting the local economy through high-quality employment opportunities.
The factory will be located in Hurt, a town in Pittsylvania County. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery highlighted the region’s “prepared sites, skilled workforce, and strong regional partnerships” as key factors in securing the project. The $97.7 million incentive package reflects the scale of the commitment, which state leaders believe will cement Virginia’s status as a hub for advanced manufacturing.
According to Avio, the site selection process was influenced by the state’s “business-friendly climate” and the Virginia Talent Accelerator program, which assists companies in recruiting and training specialized workforces. The establishment of a new SRM factory in the United States comes at a pivotal moment for the global defense industry. Since the early 2020s, Western nations have faced significant bottlenecks in the production of solid rocket motors, which are essential for everything from shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons to strategic missile interceptors.
By localizing production in Virginia, Avio USA is likely positioning itself to capture a larger share of U.S. Department of Defense contracts, reducing reliance on the limited number of existing domestic suppliers. This move aligns with broader Pentagon initiatives to diversify the supply chain and eliminate single points of failure in the production of tactical munitions.
What will the new Avio USA factory produce? How many jobs will be created? What is the value of the incentives offered?
Virginia Approves $97.7M Incentive Package for Avio USA’s New Rocket Factory
Strategic Investment in Defense Capabilities
Location and Economic Impact
AirPro News analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The facility will manufacture solid rocket motors (SRMs) used in defense missile systems, tactical propulsion, and commercial space launch vehicles.
Avio USA projects the creation of more than 1,000 jobs in Pittsylvania County.
Virginia has proposed a special appropriation of up to $97.7 million, contingent on the company meeting its investment target of over $500 million.
Sources
Photo Credit: Avio
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