The Norwegian government today presented a bill concerning the new and modified CV90 fighting vehicles for the Norwegian Army. “This investment will provide our armoured units with additional capabilities and fighting power, and constitutes a significant enhancement of the equipment available to the Army,” says Norwegian Minister of Defence, Espen Barth Eide.
With this bill, two of Norway’s primary units, the Telemark Battalion and the Armoured Battalion, will receive new and upgraded vehicles to cover shortfalls in their current inventories of medium armoured vehicles.
The bill calls for modifications to existing CV90 vehicles to accommodate new roles and systems, including added mine protection, improved C4ISR integration, rubber band tracks and Remote Weapon Stations for self defence. In addition, Norway will procure additional CV90 hulls from BAE Systems which will bring the total Norwegian inventory to 146 CV90s in different configurations.
In addition, the project will include procurement of unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, remote ground sensors and C4ISR systems.
Total value of the overall project is estimated at just under NOK 10 billion (USD 1.74 billion). Deliveries are expected to commence already in 2013, and to be completed by 2018.
“Recent years have seen significant modernization efforts, particularly within the Navy. As many will be aware, we are also planning a significant investment of new combat aircraft for the Air Force. I am therefore proud that we now, in accordance with our overall modernisation plans are able to propose a significant investment in the Army,” says Norwegian Minister of Defence, Espen Barth Eide.
“This procurement will be of great importance to Norwegian industry, as Norwegian companies will serve as important subcontractors. In line with Defence Ministry guidelines, we have required an industrial share or industrial cooperation equal to 100% of the value of the procurement,” concludes Mr Eide.
The bill will now be presented to the Norwegian Parliament for its consideration.
