The Norwegian government has highlighted the benefits of fast procurement strategy with the order of four new C-130J Hercules military cargo aircraft, to be constructed by US firm Lockheed Martin.
Norway, which already utilises an older Hercules variant, will pay approximately $600 million for the aircraft, which will increase the flexibility of the country's air force.
Anne-Grete Stroem-Erichsen, defence minister, was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying that the planes would be of particular use in Afghanistan.
"A quick procurement will give us an operative aircraft capacity from autumn 2009," she remarked.
Lockheed Martin provides a number of military aircraft to countries all over the world. Earlier this month, the manufacturer agreed a deal with Turkey to supply 50 F-16 multi-role fighter jets.
Ralph D. Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, described Turkey as a country that shares a "long history" with his company.
|