The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) has signed a four-year agreement with the American company BAE Systems OneArc for the delivery of virtual training systems. The acquisition is justified by the Norwegian Armed Forces' significant expansion of capacity and flexibility in simulator training.
– With this agreement, the defence forces will be able to significantly expand the use of simulated training. Simulator training is an effective and more sustainable way to practise. It reduces costs and improves soldiers' skills through safe and repetitive exercises, says Tomas Beck, Head of Land and Joint Capabilities at the Norwegian Armed Forces.
According to a press release from FMA, the software VBS4 provides soldiers and officers with the opportunity to prepare for modern operational challenges. The system is in use in over 60 nations and is widely used within NATO. The agreement expands the Norwegian Armed Forces' existing virtual training system and also includes VBS Builder Edition and Blue IG.
The acquisition enables easily accessible classroom training for the majority of the army's vehicle systems, according to FMA, which also states that training opportunities for indirect fire management, observation services, and base defence are included in the setup.
In addition to national needs, the investment creates conditions for joint simulator exercises within the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). According to FMA, this provides Norway with the opportunity to strengthen its interoperability and conduct advanced virtual exercises together with Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and other regional partners using OneArc's simulation technology.