The Norwegian Army is set to receive new amphibious bridges. This follows the signing of a contract worth 1.2 billion Norwegian kroner with General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS).
According to a press release from Forsvarsmateriell (Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency), the procurement concerns the latest generation of the wheeled amphibious vehicle M3. The system can be used as a floating bridge or ferry and handles heavy military vehicles. Delivery is planned for the period from autumn 2026 to 2028.
– In collaboration with the supplier and the Swedish defence, we have secured this contract in record time, says Gro Jære, Director of Forsvarsmateriell, in the press release.
According to Jære, a small crew of two to three soldiers can deploy the M3 in under ten minutes. The system can be driven directly into the water and linked with other units to create larger ferries or full-scale bridges. It is designed to support joint use within NATO, which according to Forsvarsmateriell, facilitates cooperation, joint exercises, and logistics.
The Norwegian procurement is part of NATO's initiative to improve military mobility in Europe. GDELS has previously delivered more than 90 percent of NATO's requirements for amphibious bridges, including to Sweden.