OSLO, January 27 (Reuters) – Norway’s parliament approved a $2 billion long-range artillery purchase plan on Tuesday to bolster NATO countries’ deterrent capabilities against Russia in the Arctic region where the two countries share a border.
European countries are increasing defense spending, facing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and rattled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“These weapons can penetrate deep behind enemy lines… which is decisive in modern warfare,” Peter Frölich, defense policy spokesman for the opposition Conservative Party, told parliament on Tuesday.
Korean Suppliers vs. American Suppliers
Norway’s Aftenposten reported on January 24, citing anonymous sources, that the government had selected South Korean defense contractor Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo artillery system to defeat the American Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS.
Some members of Norway’s parliament say the Nordic countries should help develop a European missile alternative, but government officials in charge of the selection say that would be too time-consuming and costly.
The South Korean system met all the requirements set by Norway for land-based artillery, including the ability to fire up to 500 kilometers (310 miles), and had the fastest delivery time, Aftenposten reported.
The Norwegian Defense Ministry is expected to announce the contract winner soon but did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The ministry said it plans to purchase 16 launch systems and an unspecified number of rockets at a total cost of 19.5 billion crowns ($2 billion).
Hanwha Aerospace signed an agreement last year with Polish defense company WB Electronics to form a joint venture to produce missiles, including Chunmoo rocket launchers, in Poland, ensuring manufacturing on European soil.
(1 USD = 9.7484 NOK)
(Reporting by Terje Solsvik; Editing by Gwladys Fouche)
