Kongsberg opens national F-35 maintenance facility in Rygge

Kongsberg Aviation Maintenance Services has opened a new facility for maintenance of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s (RNoAF’s) Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter fleet in Rygge, southeastern Norway.

The formal opening of the site was conducted by Marte Gerhardsen, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, at a ceremony in Rygge on 23 October 2025.

The facility, which is a National Air Vehicle Depot for the Norwegian F-35s, is owned and operated by Kongsberg under a long-term contract with the Norwegian armed forces.

The new depot will carry out heavy maintenance, upgrades, modifications and improvements to Norwegian F-35s in line with the RNoAF’s needs and priorities. The depot complements the RNoAF’s own capacity to carry out user maintenance at its fighter base in Ørland, in mid-Norway.

Until now, medium-duty maintenance on Norwegian F-35s has been carried out at the final assembly and check out (FACO) facility in Cameri, Italy. With the establishment of a national maintenance facility in Rygge, Norway will gain an independent capacity to carry out this work domestically, which strengthens local supply chains and operational availability for the RNoAF.

“The opening of this facility in Rygge demonstrates how Kongsberg and the Norwegian defence industry contribute to strengthening Norway’s defence capability as well as maintaining critical aeronautical expertise,” Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “The close co-operation with the Norwegian Armed Forces, authorities, Lockheed Martin and industry partners has been crucial for the rapid and efficient implementation of the depot,” Lie added.

“This facility is much more than just a new building; it represents a strategic investment in national security,” said Gerhardsen. “Expertise in the industry is being built, and the operational readiness of our fighter aircraft is strengthened. Through the acquisition of the F-35, the air force’s combat power has increased significantly and strengthened our contribution to allies and NATO. With this facility, we are taking a new step in servicing, developing and maintaining the F-35’s operational availability here in Norway. Norway’s defence capability will be strengthened as a result of this establishment,” she added.

The RNoAF operates a fleet of 52 F-35As, the last two of which were received on 1 April 2025, making Norway the first F-35 partner nation to fulfill its F-35 programme of record.