Norway’s Parliament approves $2.5 billion artillery plan
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Troops from Canada, the US and seven other allied nations participating in NATO exercises in Norway in 2025.
PHOTO: DAVIDE MONTELEONE/NYTIMES
- Norway's parliament approved a US$2 billion plan to enhance Arctic deterrence against Russia with long-range artillery systems.
- South Korea's Hanwha Aerospace Chunmoo system was chosen over the US HIMARS due to its range and quicker delivery.
- Norway plans to purchase 16 launch systems and rockets, with Hanwha's partnership ensuring European manufacturing.
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OSLO – Norway’s Parliament on Jan 27 approved a US$2 billion (S$2.5 billion) procurement plan for long-range artillery to boost the NATO country’s deterrence against Russia in the Arctic, where the two nations share a border.
European countries are in the midst of hiking defence spending, under pressure to do so by the administration of US President Donald Trump and unnerved by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“These are weapons that can reach far behind enemy lines... this is decisive in modern warfare,” Mr Peter Froelich, the defence policy spokesman for the opposition Conservatives, told Parliament on Jan 27.
Norwegian daily Aftenposten, citing anonymous sources, on Jan 24 reported that the government has selected South Korean defence contractor Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo artillery system, beating US Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS.
Some members of Norway’s Parliament have said the Nordic country should help develop a European missile alternative, but this has been dismissed as too time-consuming and costly by government officials charged with making the selection.
The South Korean system met all requirements set by Norway for the ground-based artillery, including the ability to fire at a range of up to 500km, and had the quickest delivery time, according to the Aftenposten report.
Norway’s defence ministry, which is expected to soon announce the contract winner, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ministry has said it plans to acquire 16 launch systems along with an undisclosed number of rockets for a total cost of 19.5 billion kroner (S$2.5 billion).
Hanwha Aerospace in 2025 signed an agreement with Polish defence company WB Electronics to form a joint venture producing missiles in Poland, including for the Chunmoo rocket artillery, ensuring manufacturing on European soil. REUTERS
