K9 Thunder for Norway's new Finnmark Brigade
The Norwegian government intends to buy another 24 self-propelled howitzers for its new brigade currently under development in the far northern Finnmark region.
"We are facing a serious security situation. We are therefore requesting the Storting [Parliament] to approve significant investments in various parts of the Armed Forces in order to strengthen Norway's defence capability […]," Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik says in a statement.
The requested funding of 17 billion kroner (€1,43 billion) comes in addition to the country's historical defence spending of €140 billion by year 2036.
It will include the acquisition of 24 new K9 Thunder, the South Korea-made self-propelled howitzers.
Norway has from before acquired 29 K9 howitzers, as well as 14 K10 ammunition resupply vehicles.
The powerful weapons will be the core of an artillery battalion that is to serve as part of the new Finnmark Brigade. Also neighbouring Finland has the K9 as part of its Armed Forces. In 2017, the government in Helsinki signed a €146 million agreement that authorised the country's Defence Forces to procure 48 pieces of the 155-mm howitzer.
Norway is significantly ramping up its armed forces and the Finnmark Brigade is at the core of the developments.
In addition to the new howitzers, the brigade will get anti-aircraft weapons, a light infantry battalion, an engineer company, an intelligence company and stronger command.
"Our plan is to develop a force that will be in Finnmark, in times of peace, crisis and war. It will be a standing army force," Head of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars Lervik told a local audience in Kirkenes in January 2025.
The new 17 billion kroner package also includes so-called maritime mine counter measures (MMCM) for the Norwegian Navy. Among the measures is the development of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
The systems are used for the detection and neutralisation of underwater mines and explosives. They are due to replace Norway's current fleet of minesweepers.
The investments in MMCM are urgent, Defence Minister Sandvik underlines.
"We have to make sure that the Armed Forces have the resources needed to detect and neutralise mines and other explosives under water. It will contribute to safe sailing for our own and allied ships in Norwegian waters and secure critical subsea infrastructure," he says.
