Ørland Main Air Station, Norway

Ørland Air Station is also an important hub for NATO cooperation and national preparedness, serving, among other things, as a forward operating base for NATO’s AWACS surveillance aircraft. In recent years, Ørland has undergone extensive modernization, transforming the base into a modern, fully operational fighter aircraft base.

Scope and delivery

The new air base has been established within the existing area of Ørland Main Air Station. Developing the base involved a major expansion of the air station, including the refurbishment of existing buildings and facilities, approximately 40,000 m² of new buildings, 25,000 m² of refurbished space, 250 dormitory rooms and 60 apartments.

AFRY’s assignment covered squadron buildings, maintenance facilities, runway extension, main infrastructure, hangars, a fire training area, an energy centre, housing, quarters, barracks, sports facilities, comprehensive security for the fighter aircraft base and the search and rescue helicopter base.

Ørland Air Station remained fully operational with Norway’s F-16 fighter jets throughout the construction period. The development was carried out without any unplanned impact on day-to-day operations at the air station.

A leading project in safety, health and the working environment

AFRY’s deliveries to the NDEA included project and construction management, design management, schedule planning, building permit applications, contract management, health and safety management, client’s site representative services, quality assurance management, financial follow-up, testing and commissioning. The project was subject to the highest security classifications.

The health and safety work at Ørland Main Air Station received particularly positive recognition, including for its good working conditions and low incident rates throughout the project.

Prepared the base for the introduction of the F-35

The development project prepared Ørland Main Air Station for the reception, introduction and operational use of the F-35 aircraft, enabling fighter aircraft capacity to be built up gradually over time. Norway has now received all 52 F-35 aircrafts, which are based at Ørland, Evenes and in the United States in connection with pilot training.

Following the base development, AFRY also assisted NDEA with project management for the renovation and upgrade of the runway system at Ørland Air Station. The project included mass replacement, removal of the old pavement, widening of the runway, new surfacing, new runway lighting and new stormwater management solutions. The newly renovated runway was officially opened and put into operation in November 2024. At 3,300 metres, it is Norway’s second longest runway, enabling Ørland to receive both fighter aircraft and larger transport aircraft.