Norway backs out of equipment exchange, Dutch "not amused"

[tatra]

Norway cancels equipment exchange with the Netherlands

16 September 2004
By Ian Kemp; JDW News Editor; London
and Joris Janssen Lok; JDW Special Correspondent; The Hague

Norway has cancelled a plan to take over 18 new Krauss-Maffei Wegmann PzH2000 155mm/52-cal self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) from the Netherlands. They were to be traded for a surplus battery of Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS).

"The decision to cancel the package deal with the Netherlands was made by the [Norwegian defence] minister," said Norwegian Army Deputy Chief of Staff Col Arne Skjaerpe. "We now have to reassess heavy fire support within the army."

Norwegian Defence Minister Kristin Krohn Devold told JDW that the cost of introducing the PzH2000 into Norwegian service had been underestimated and that no money is available in the new 2005-08 defence plan for the project.

An official brochure published in May, The Norwegian Army 2004-2005, described the PzH2000 as one of the army's three "core weapon platforms". However, one senior Norwegian Army officer told JDW that some politicians considered the tracked PzH2000 as an inappropriate weapon as Norway works to develop lighter, more mobile forces better suited to expeditionary operations.

Senior sources within the Netherlands Ministry of Defence told JDW that "we are not amused" at the Norwegian decision because the benefits of the exchange package have been factored into the Dutch defence plans, the latest of which is scheduled to be presented on 21 September

This is after the Norwegian Army did buy 52 used Leopard 2A4 MBT's from the Dutch Army to replace 59 obsolete Leopard 1A1NO. The agreement was signed February 8 2001 and was worth 1,5 billion NOK. The first tanks was delivered in December 2001.

The German produced tanks were build for the Dutch Army from 1983 to 1985, and were only slightly used. When the tanks arrived Norway, they were modified, upgraded and adapted for Norwegian conditions. The smoke dischargers and machine gun mount were changed from Dutch to Norwegian vesion, and Norwegian radio was mounted. Leopard 2A4/A6 is not an issue in Norway. The Norwegian Army is pleased with the high standard of the used equipment.

The Norwegian army has also acquired (from Sweden) 104 CV9030IFV built to the specifications of the Norwegian Cavalry. This can operate in tough terrain and weather, and can manage the special and variable snow conditions in Norway. The vehicle has low, compact profile, low infrared signature, low radar signature and low engine noise from the powerful Scania engine. The weight is surpricingly no more than 26 ton. The armour is made of laminated hardened steel/kevlar and can tolerate a 30mm APFSDS round in front. The engine performance, low weight and the wide belt gives high tactical mobility through marshes, snow and difficult terrain. The CV90 is actually better in mobility then the Bv206.

Seems silly to buy the LeoII tanks and CV90 IFVs and then not some modern PzH 2000 SPH (and make do with M109).

 

[turin]

Yep, disappointing move. They would have received some very capable weaponry. Money seems to flow rather slow in Scandinavia in recent times (thinking of Denmark and the cancelled Viking-cooperation). Perhaps the order of the Fridtjof Nansen-frigates eats up the budget. :?