DennisA.

Muilenburg
President&
Chief ExecutiveOfficer
Defense,Space & Security

The BoeingCompany
100 AirportWay M/C S100-1015
St. Louis,MO 63134-1933

FORSVARSDEPARTEMENTET

February 14, 2012

SAKNR.:

V5

21FEB2012
His Excellency
Espen Barth Eide
Ministerof Defense of Norway
Oslo

ARKBET:
KABSERfS 5 R
KASSEJ-d:r:S
30 R
BEVAIIES

Dear Mr. Minister:

As the Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the defense businessfor the largest
aerospace companyin the world, I am acutelyaware of the challenges
legislativeleaders such as you face in thisaustere economicenvironment. We
understandNorway'sneed to maintaina strongdefense posturewhile ensuring
that vital socialprogramssuch as educationand health remain adequately
funded. We also understandthat your nation'sleadershipis at a critical
juncturewith respectto the largestdefense acquisitionin its historyand that
there are difficultchoicesahead.
As yourAir Force seeks to recapitalizetheiraging fighterfleet, I wanted to
ensure that you were aware of the role Boeingmay be able to play in that effort.
We respectthe NorwegianGovernment'sdecisionto become a partnerin the
F-35 programand knowwell the importantrole that weapon systemwill play in
the futurefor the UnitedStates. However,given the well publicizedschedule
delays and cost increasesof that program,we believethere may be merit in
consideringthe other U.S. advanced strikefighter the F/A-18 Super Hornet as
an interimsolution.
Since its inception,the Super Hornet has been deliveredto the UnitedStates
Navy and now the AustralianAir Force ahead of scheduleand on-budget.
Simplyput, it is the most advanced multi-roleaircraftcurrentlyin productionin
the world and can be offeredat a firm acquisitioncost and predictablesupport
costsover its life cycle. It will serve alongsidethe F-35 for the next 30 years.
Shouldthe NorwegianGovernmentdecideto delay their F-35 acquisitionfor a
decade or so to allow the manufacturermoretime to mature the technologyand
improvethe manufacturingefficiency,we believe that a squadronof Super
Hornetspurchasedthisdecade couldprovidenot onlyan interimsolution,but
providecapabffitiesrelevantto the changingArcticmaritimethat are not
currentlyforecastto reside on the F-35 fleet. The Super Hornetwould also
provideyourAir Forcewith an airbornetankercapability,twin engine
redundancyand the optionfor two seats for expanded missioncapabilityand
futuregrowth.

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In addition to world class technology for your Air Force, your nation's industry
would benefit greatly from such a solution. As part of a Super Hornet offer I am
ready to commit to an offset proposal which is 100 percent aligned with the
Regulations on Industrial Co-operation Related to Defence Acquisition from
Abroad. Over the past 30 years, Boeing has successfuHy met $41 billion of
offset obligations and has done so on or ahead of schedule. These companies
would also become part of the worldwide supply network of the largest
aerospace companies in the world.
We would welcome the opportunity to meet with you individually or address
your entire defense committee to discuss this concept. Please don't hesitate to
let me know if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,

Dennis A. Muilenburg