The Norwegian parliament has reportedly approved a procurement plan valued at $2bn for long-range artillery systems.
The plan aims to strengthen national defence and reinforce NATO deterrence capabilities in the Arctic region, where Norway and Russia share a border, according to Reuters.
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The move comes as several European countries increase defence spending in response to security concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The approval follows a recent report by Norwegian daily Aftenposten that the government selected the Chunmoo artillery system from South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, which reportedly outperformed other offers, including the US-made HIMARS from Lockheed Martin.
Citing anonymous sources, Aftenposten reported that the Chunmoo system met Norway’s requirements for ground-based artillery, including a range capability of up to 500km and faster delivery timelines.
Norway’s defence ministry has stated its intention to acquire 16 launch systems and an unspecified number of rockets at a total cost of Nkr19.5bn ($2bn).
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By GlobalDataThe ministry is yet to confirm the final contract decision and did not comment on the latest reports.
Some parliament members expressed support for developing a European missile alternative, but government officials dismissed this option, describing it as too expensive and time-consuming.
Peter Froelich, defence policy spokesperson for the opposition Conservatives, said in parliament on Tuesday, “These are weapons that can reach far behind enemy lines… this is decisive in modern warfare.”
The Norwegian Government signed a separate contract worth approximately Nkr1bn with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in November last year to procure additional components for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS).
In May 2023, Norway announced plans to increase defence spending to at least 2% of GDP by 2026.
Industry analysis from GlobalData projects Norway’s defence budget will rise from $7.6bn in 2023 to $9.2bn by 2028, highlighting increased investment across land, naval, and air force capabilities.
