On November 21st, 2008, the Norwegian government announced that its Minister of Defence had selected the F-35 Lightning II to replace its fleet of F-16 fighters. Norway conducted a formal competition between the F-35 and the Saab Gripen NG. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was considered to be the only candidate fulfilling all the operational requirements of the Norwegian Government. It also was cheaper than its rival, the Swedish SAAB Gripen. Norway will pay $2.54 billion for 48 F-35s, a government spokesman told the Reuters news service.

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter developed and funded by a consortium of nine countries, including Norway. Norway plans to acquire 48 F-35s to replace the F-16s currently in service. The first F-35s would be delivered to Norway in 2016.