Innovation, affordability, and effectiveness are key drivers which have formed the Norwegian defence {industry} for greater than six a long time. At this time the {industry} controls a portfolio of superior and progressive defence gear that has been formed by the operational necessities of the Norwegian and allied armed forces. Norwegian defence cotractors are world-leaders in a number of niches, and near 80 per cent of their gross sales are to prospects exterior Norway.
The Norwegian defence {industry} has existed for greater than 200 years since Norway bought its structure in 1814. At this time, the {industry} is an integral a part of Norway’s total defence functionality and offers a big contribution to safeguard the nation’s important safety pursuits. Particular native and regional circumstances associated to nationwide safety, arctic local weather, difficult topography, useful resource constraints, excessive littoral circumstances, and the huge ocean areas below Norwegian jurisdiction within the excessive north, have formed the Norwegian defence {industry} and honed the capabilities of the businesses and the talents of their workers. The Norwegian Armed Forces desire to amass defence gear off-the-shelf within the worldwide market. Nevertheless, for causes associated to the circumstances talked about above, this isn’t at all times potential. In such instances, the armed forces cooperate with the Norwegian defence {industry} to develop bespoke options that fulfil the Norwegian armed forces’ necessities.
Assembly operational necessities in probably the most cost-effective method is at all times high precedence. Exportability is, nonetheless, likewise a compulsory requirement when new gear and methods are developed. Unit prices and the prices to maintain and preserve gear solely operated by the Norwegian armed forces, by far exceeds what’s inexpensive. Moreover, the {industry} should maintain and develop expertise and data in between our main nationwide improvement and improve packages. Consequently, export of defence gear constitutes an integral a part of Norway´s important safety pursuits, as a nationwide defence industrial base couldn’t exist with out exports.
Inside rigorously chosen applied sciences and product areas, Norwegian defence {industry} right now possesses a number of the most superior expertise and capabilities within the {industry} and manufactures a number of merchandise and methods which are main within the worldwide market. Virtually 80 per cent of gross sales are to prospects exterior Norway. That is among the largest export shares of its variety on the earth.
Areas of Experience
To supply steerage on the place the armed forces ought to spend on defence analysis and improvement and search cooperation with Norwegian {industry}, the Ministry of Defence has recognized a set of prioritised applied sciences, endorsed by Norway’s parliament.
The important thing applied sciences are:
- Command and management, data, choice assist and fight methods
Techniques integration - Autonomous methods and synthetic intelligence
- Missile expertise
- Underwater expertise
- Ammunition, propulsion applied sciences and army explosives
- Supplies expertise developed or refined for army use
- Lifecycle assist for army methods
To rework these applied sciences into merchandise and methods, a mannequin for cooperation between the army consumer group, academia and the defence {industry}, which has been developed and refined for many years, is utilized. This “Triad” facilitates shut integration and interplay between the important thing stakeholders, particularly the army consumer group, from the very early phases of idea improvement and experimentation to implementation and transition to operational use.
A Broad Vary of Capabilities
By utilising this collaborative framework, Norwegian defence {industry} can develop, ship, and export world-class merchandise and methods within the following areas:
- Missiles (NSM/JSM)
- Floor Based mostly Air-defence (NASAMS)
- Rocket motors (AMRAAM, Sidewinder, ESSM, IRIS-T)
- Distant weapon methods (Weapon stations and Turrets)
- Superior ammunition for all domains (Medium and Massive Calibre, Air-Burst, Base Bleed/Rocket help/Ramjet)
- Shoulder fired weapons (M-72)
- Nano-UAVs (BLACK HORNET)
- Underwater methods (HUGIN AUV, Naval sonars)
- Command- control- and communication methods (Built-in Fight System, NORBMS, FACNAV, NORCCIS, SW-defined radio)
- Safe data methods, Crypto (XO-mail, Excessive Grade IP-crypto, G-A-G VCS, Multilevel safety data change)
- Soldier methods (Load bearing methods, fight clothes, ballistic safety)
Worldwide cooperation is vital to the Norwegian defence {industry}’s worldwide success, which made exports develop by greater than 400 per cent over the past 20 years. Partnerships are actively looked for as a car to safe market entry and expertise cooperation. Such partnerships are paramount to maintain the {industry}’s place within the worldwide market right now and sooner or later. All Norwegian defence programmes of any significance contain worldwide industry-to-industry cooperation.
Probably the most necessary explanation why cooperation has been profitable, is that almost all Norwegian merchandise and methods are platform-independent. Our {industry} doesn’t ship main platforms reminiscent of armoured autos, plane, or submarines. Relatively than having to allocate assets to maintain legacy platforms and methods alive, Norwegian {industry} can proceed to spend money on these niches the place we’ve got expertise and merchandise with potential.
Norwegian defence corporations are small when in comparison with the main worldwide contractors; therefore, head-on competitors will not be a viable method. A versatile method to cooperation and preparedness to reply rapidly to modifications and rising alternatives, have confirmed profitable.
In cooperation with worldwide companions, Norwegian defence {industry} right now manufactures, markets, and delivers “high-end” weapon methods, reminiscent of anti-ship and land assault missiles and air defence methods, superior ammunition, rocket motors, distant weapon methods, subtle communication gear, fight administration methods, private reconnaissance methods, soldier methods and plenty of extra, to prospects in additional than 50 nations worldwide. The most important and most necessary export market by far is america. NATO allies and EU member states rely for roughly 90 per cent of defence exports from Norway. Nevertheless, markets additional away, reminiscent of Australia, South-East Asia, and The Center East, are additionally necessary.
A Main US Programme
Norway’s participation in worldwide collaborative armament packages can be one other necessary contributor to the expansion of the Norwegian defence {industry}. The nation is a associate within the US-led F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme. This has created alternatives for a number of Norwegian corporations. Norwegian {industry}’s contribution to the F-35 consists of superior composite components and subassemblies, electronics, mechanical elements, and assist providers. A completely-fledged engine depot has been established in Norway to offer overhaul and restore providers for the F135 engines. A brand new fifth era long-range Joint Strike Missile (JSM), required to offer F-35 the operational functionality required by the Norwegian air pressure, is already in manufacturing, with Norway and Japan as launch prospects.
A brand new armour-piercing ammunition nature (APEX) for F-35, additionally developed by Norwegian {industry}, will enhance the plane’s fight effectiveness towards land targets and for shut air assist operations. JSM and APEX are wonderful examples of how the Norwegian authorities and Norwegian {industry} make investments to reinforce the operational functionality of F-35 to fulfill nationwide necessities that purchasing off-the-shelf can’t attain.
On the naval facet, Norwegian {industry} has developed the shipborne long-range, low-observable Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with anti-ship and land assault functionality for sea and floor launch purposes. The missile is presently in operation with the Norwegian, Polish, Malaysian and US navies. The US Marine Corps (USMC), Germany, Australia, Romania, and Spain have all ordered NSM and can introduce the missile quickly.
European Cooperation
A 12 months in the past, Norway and Germany agreed to collectively develop and construct six similar submarines, 4 for Norway and two for Germany. Expectations are excessive that frequent submarines will present vital cost-savings all through the lifetime of the boats. The programme facilitates integration of Norway´s and Germany´s industrial capabilities within the subject of submarines. That is ruled by a strategic partnership settlement that assigns roles, tasks, and duties to the economic companions for the subsequent 40 years.
Moreover, the cooperation additionally features a strategic partnership for improvement of the subsequent era of the NSM-missile, which might be operated by each the Norwegian and the German Navy. On this regard, a long-term strategic partnership between Norwegian and German {industry} within the subject of anti-ship missiles has been created.
The complicated oceanographic circumstances alongside the lengthy Norwegian shoreline require bespoke options for underwater acoustic purposes. Norwegian sonar expertise, and particularly the potential to course of underwater acoustic information, are state-of-the artwork. The expertise offers the operational consumer the potential to navigate and preserve situational consciousness below water with excessive precision. Likewise, anti-submarine warfare and mine countermeasures are additionally core capabilities of the naval {industry}. Norwegian {industry} gives superior Autonomous Underwater Autos and is the popular industrial associate for Norwegian navy growing the next-generation autonomous mine warfare functionality.
The NATO Advanced Sea Sparrow and the European IRIS-T missiles get their propulsion from a Norwegian firm. The motor for the AMRAAM-missile, which is the first weapon for US and NATO air forces is developed and manufactured in Norway, as is the motor for the Sidewinder missile. Norwegian {industry} has delivered motors to the European Exocet Block 3 and just lately the LMM missile.
Within the subject of superior ammunition, Norwegian {industry} is making appreciable progress. One of many main 4 remaining superior ammunition producers in Europe is headquartered in Norway. New ideas like programmable ammunition, ramjet-propelled artillery grenades and superior shoulder-launched weapons, are within the pipeline to enhance fight effectiveness of battle fighters, fight autos and artillery. NATO AWACS, NATO AGS and NATO ACCS are different examples of worldwide programmes the place Norwegian corporations delivers essential software program and assist.
Home Success
One other success story is distant weapon methods. Norwegian {industry} is the market chief for distant weapon stations with a worldwide market share of near 90 per cent. Greater than 20,000 weapon stations have been delivered to twenty-eight international locations in cooperation with armoured car producers in each US and Europe.
The Norwegian NASAMS floor primarily based air-defence system has turn into a benchmark for medium vary air defence methods in NATO. 13 nations, together with the US, presently function the system. NASAMS has supplied air defence protection to the White Home, US Congress and The Pentagon, 24 hours three hundred and sixty five days a 12 months for greater than 15 years, and the system will shortly even be operational with the Ukrainian armed forces.
The BLACK HORNET is probably the most superior and succesful nano-UAV accessible. The world’s smallest operational UAV is developed and manufactured in Norway. It weighs solely 30 grams, nonetheless it may possibly present actual time HD-video, evening and day, utilizing a proprietary datalink with an efficient vary of greater than 1.5 km. The car can function in GPS-denied environments and in extreme climate circumstances. It offers the warfighter with situational consciousness, enhanced fight effectiveness, and considerably improved security. Greater than 40 nations have acquired the system, amongst them the US for the Military Soldier-borne Sensor program and the Ukrainian military.
Safe data methods and superior communications for mission essential purposes are different areas the place the {industry} excels. For greater than 20 years, Norwegian {industry} has been the only provider of crypto options for “excessive grade” IP-networks in NATO. Safe electronic mail and safe G-A-G voice communications are different areas the place Norwegian {industry} is the popular provider to NATO.
Along with the main corporations delivering the methods and merchandise talked about above, the {industry} additionally includes a big variety of high-tech SMEs, with extremely specialised merchandise. Superior communication gear, surveillance methods, antennas, sensors, weapon enchancment options, command and management methods, camp options, medical expertise, and high-end UAVs and USVs are some examples.
There may be additionally a plethora of extremely expert subcontractors which are intently built-in within the provide chains of the main Norwegian defence contractors in addition to of the main European and US OEMs. Superior prime quality digital assemblies and sub-assemblies, high-end gear for information recording, processing and storage, cables and connectors, complicated mechanical buildings and sub-assemblies, software program, and providers are amongst what could be discovered.
Additional Innovation
The long run belongs to those that can adapt rapidly. Technological improvement accelerates, in some areas, exponentially. Rising and disruptive applied sciences create potential for growing fully new options to present issues and challenges. In some areas, nonetheless, they might additionally indicate new threats and operational challenges. Synthetic intelligence, machine studying, massive information, hypersonic weapons, and area expertise are areas scientists predict could have disruptive results on army operations, and therefore gear and methods inside 5-10 years. Versatile, non-bureaucratic organisations with low hierarchies and quick traces of communication, will proceed to be a aggressive benefit for Norwegian defence. The power to reply rapidly to buyer necessities and desires, and to introduce new applied sciences with out pointless delay, will turn into a prerequisite for survival.
Norway and Norwegians are early adaptors of recent expertise. The Norwegian Defence Trade isn’t any exception, already working intensely to grasp the potential and challenges these applied sciences will pose as they mature. For instance: Superior algorithms that present counter-UAV methods with the flexibility to extend effectiveness by robotically analysing logs from previous utilization have been put into operation. 155 mm ramjet artillery ammunition is in improvement and has already been fired efficiently. Making an allowance for the intense timelines for improvement and fielding of army gear, understanding the impression of recent expertise, and particularly EDTs, might be essential to have the ability to ship state-of-the-art gear sooner or later.
The Norwegian defence {industry} is in higher form than ever. Gross sales, order consumption, backlog and workforce are “all time excessive”. Plans for additional progress are being carried out and appreciable assets are invested in elevated capability, improve of manufacturing gear and in constructing competence to benefit from the applied sciences of the long run. A mature and trendy product portfolio, funded improvement packages, broad worldwide market presence and an internet of strategic alliances with worldwide companions, makes the {industry} a lovely and dependable provider and associate for purchasers worldwide. The {industry} is ready to answer current and future wants of the Norwegian and allied forces to allow them to discourage, defend, and if, wanted battle to safeguard our societies and our folks.
About The Norwegian Defence and Safety Industries Affiliation (FSi)
The Norwegian Defence and Safety Industries Affiliation (FSi) is the one commerce affiliation in Norway devoted to advocate the pursuits of the Norwegian Defence and Safety Industries. The affiliation is the first interlocutor and associate for the Norwegian authorities in issues of significance to the {industry}. FSi´s mission is to foster framework circumstances for member corporations to achieve the home and international defence and safety markets, thereby contributing to Norway’s nationwide defence and safety targets.
FSi can be a focus for international contractors looking for cooperation with Norwegian corporations in relation to Norwegian defence procurements overseas and worldwide collaborative programmes. The affiliation has roughly 180 member corporations – a diversified group starting from the main nationwide defence contractors to one-person companies, all with distinctive capabilities constructed on innovation and superior expertise, serving each the army and the civil safety markets. Roughly 85 per cent of the businesses are SMEs.
FSi is an impartial non-public affiliation owned, ruled and funded solely by the members. The affiliation is affiliated and collocated with the first enterprise affiliation in Norway, The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO). L
