The Norwegian government has decided to sign a contract with South Korea's Hanwha for the delivery of the Armed Forces' new system for ground-based long-range strike capability. The contract is valued at 19 billion Norwegian kroner and covers the delivery of 16 rocket artillery systems, missiles and logistics support.
In a communiqué, the government announced that Hanwha was selected following a competitive tender conducted by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell, FMA). According to the government, Hanwha was the only supplier that met all requirements regarding performance, delivery time and cost framework.
"Ground-based long-range strike capability is a new capability for the Armed Forces. The government's priority is to rapidly strengthen Norway's defence capability, and this acquisition will strengthen our capacity for credible deterrence against potential adversaries. It is a boost for the army's combat power and makes our country safer," says Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.
The procurement covers 16 rocket artillery systems and "a larger number" of missiles with three different ranges, the longest of which reaches up to 500 kilometres.
The system will be delivered with production support from Poland, which recently ordered close to 300 units of the same system. Under the agreement, the missiles are to be produced in Poland, which has signed an agreement with Hanwha for local production of the missiles.
Delivery of the rocket artillery systems and training materiel is planned for 2028 and 2029, while the missiles will be delivered during 2030 and 2031. This is intended to enable the system to be operational within four years.
Hanwha has also offered an industrial cooperation agreement with Norwegian companies, equivalent to 120 per cent of the contract value, according to the press release. The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) has been authorised to sign the contract, which is planned for 30 January.