Norway is reportedly advancing towards the selection of South Korea’s K239 Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system, following the recent exclusion of Germany’s EuroPULS from the bidding process. The competition is now narrowed down to Lockheed Martin’s HIMARS and Hanwha Aerospace’s Chunmoo system as potential replacements for the Royal Norwegian Army’s outdated rocket artillery as part of a strategic overhaul for 2024.
Sources indicate that Hanwha is currently favored, particularly because of its established partnerships with Norway through the delivery of K9 Vidar howitzers and associated support vehicles. The decision to eliminate the EuroPULS system from consideration may stem from factors such as cost efficiency and delivery timelines, although the Norwegian government has not publicly confirmed these reasons.
This development occurs amidst an enhancement of defense collaboration between Norway and Germany, which includes joint initiatives for procuring Type 212CD submarines and Leopard 2A8 tanks. During the recent handover of the first Leopard 2A8 tanks in Munich, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius emphasized the importance of closer collaboration in future rocket artillery projects, stating that such efforts would bolster interoperability, security supply chains, and robust European defense capabilities.
Lockheed Martin’s proposal includes a request that was previously approved by the U.S. for up to 16 HIMARS launchers, estimated at around $580 million. However, Washington has reportedly withheld authorization for longer-range missile variants like the GMLRS-ER and PrSM, with ongoing dialogues concerning possible negotiations with Lockheed related to these advanced munitions.
If Norway opts for the Chunmoo system, it would align with similar decisions made by other NATO nations such as Poland and Estonia, who have sought out non-European suppliers to diversify their defense procurement strategies.
Nonetheless, this move has ignited a domestic debate, with Norwegian defense contractors Kongsberg and Aker advocating for the selection of EuroPULS in order to bolster the national defense industry. Furthermore, reports suggest that rocket artillery might be absent from the draft 2025 budget, indicating that Norway may postpone a final decision until next year’s revised long-term defense plan is available.
