The Norwegian Air Force needs new fighter jets. The alternatives are either the Swedish Jas Gripen Fighters or the American Joint Strike Fighter. This has brought about a major public debate in Norway on which jets to go for.
The High North will be a key are of operation for the new aircrafts.
The debate over which aircraft to invest five billion EUR in is not only about technical issues. The decision is also a highly political one. A number of prominent people in Norway have involved themselves in the debate, and technical knowledge on fighter jets has not been the main criterion for joining the debate. Representatives of the Swedish Saab Group have for the last year toured Norway and established business contacts, with the message: “If Norway chooses Jas Gripen Fighter, we will boost our investments in the region.
This strategy might have had an effect on the public. This week Norwegian TV-channel NRK presented an opinion poll which shows that 37 percent of the respondents would go for Jas Gripen Fighter. Only 18 percent would go for the American aircraft. However, as much as 45 percent does not have an opinion at all.
