Latest news with #ToreSandvik
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norway to nearly double its K9 howitzer fleet for around $534 million
PARIS — Norway plans to nearly double its fleet of self-propelled artillery, proposing to buy an additional 24 K9 Thunder howitzers from Hanwha Aerospace for a budget of 5.65 billion Norwegian kroner, or $534 million. The 155 mm howitzers will equip a new artillery battalion within the planned Finnmark brigade being set up to bolster Norway's defenses in the high north, according to a government proposal published on Friday. The purchase plan is part of 17 billion kroner in proposed spending that also includes more sea mine-clearing capability, new military trucks and spending on facilities. Norway already has 28 tracked K9 howitzers as well as 14 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles, and will exercise an option in its contract with Hanwha for the additional purchase, the government said. The spending plan still needs to be approved by the Norwegian parliament, the Storting. 'We are in a serious security policy situation,' Minister of Defence Tore Sandvik said. 'Therefore, we will now ask the Storting to approve significant investments in various parts of the Armed Forces to strengthen Norway's defense capability, in line with the ambitions of the long-term plan presented last year.' The Norwegian government in October last year proposed to raise the country's 2025 defense budget by 19.2 billion kroner to 110.1 billion kroner. The budget for the additional howitzers includes the guns as well as spare parts, according to the spending proposal. The acquisition of additional artillery pieces 'will contribute to significantly strengthening the Army's firepower,' the government said. The extra howitzers increase the total budget for the Norwegian 155 mm artillery project to 11.1 billion kroner, according to the government proposal. Other K9 operators in the Baltic region are Poland, Finland and Estonia. The government also plans to spend an additional 3.9 billion kroner on maritime mine countermeasures, increasing the total budget for that project to 8.74 billion kroner. The plan for the Norwegian Navy's future mine-clearing capability, first approved in 2023, will include unmanned and autonomous systems. The previously approved mine countermeasures capability was assessed as too small in relation to the operational needs of a new security situation, according to the government. Expanding the scope of the project will ensure sufficient resources to safeguard 'freedom of movement in Norwegian waters even in a crisis or war,' the government said. 'This will help to ensure that our own vessels and allies can sail safely and freely in Norwegian waters,' Sandvik said. 'In addition, it can help to secure critical underwater infrastructure.'
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norway says it will keep supplying fuel to US navy after company calls for boycott
OSLO (Reuters) - NATO member Norway will continue to supply fuel for U.S. Navy ships, the country's defence minister said on Sunday, after a call from a private marine fuel supplier to stop doing so in response to the apparent breakdown in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. "We have seen reports raising concerns about support for U.S. Navy vessels in Norway. This is not in line with the Norwegian government's policy," Norway's Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said in a statement. "American forces will continue to receive the supply and support they require from Norway," he added. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Sandvik issued his statement after privately held Norwegian fuel supplier Haltbakk Bunkers said that it would stop supplying U.S. Navy ships in response to how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was treated at the White House on Friday. "Huge credit to the president of Ukraine restraining himself and for keeping calm even though USA put on a backstabbing TV show. It made us sick... No Fuel to Americans!," the company said in a now deleted Facebook post. Haltbakk Bunkers CEO Gunnar Gran confirmed to Norwegian newspaper VG that the company made a decision not to supply the U.S. military, but said the move would have a "symbolic" impact as it didn't have a fixed contract. The company did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
Reuters
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Norway says it will keep supplying fuel to US navy after company calls for boycott
OSLO, March 2 (Reuters) - NATO member Norway will continue to supply fuel for U.S. Navy ships, the country's defence minister said on Sunday, after a call from a private marine fuel supplier to stop doing so in response to the apparent breakdown in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. "We have seen reports raising concerns about support for U.S. Navy vessels in Norway. This is not in line with the Norwegian government's policy," Norway's Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said in a statement. "American forces will continue to receive the supply and support they require from Norway," he added. Sandvik issued his statement after privately held Norwegian fuel supplier Haltbakk Bunkers said that it would stop supplying U.S. Navy ships in response to how Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was treated at the White House on Friday. "Huge credit to the president of Ukraine restraining himself and for keeping calm even though USA put on a backstabbing TV show. It made us sick... No Fuel to Americans!," the company said in a now deleted Facebook post. Haltbakk Bunkers CEO Gunnar Gran confirmed to Norwegian newspaper VG that the company made a decision not to supply the U.S. military, but said the move would have a "symbolic" impact as it didn't have a fixed contract. The company did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
