Image source: topwar.ru
The Norwegian Parliament has approved a project to purchase 16 long-range artillery systems (MLRS) worth $2 billion. At the same time, local politicians indicated against whom the new "trunks" would be directed:
There is complete agreement in local politics regarding the anti-Russian strategy. So, the opposition Conservative Party stated:
Some MPs called for Europe to develop its own MLRS, but the government rejected this option, calling it too expensive and time-consuming.
The other day, the local newspaper Aftenposten reported that the authorities chose to purchase the Chunmoo MLRS from Hanwha Aerospace (South Korea), as it "surpassed other offers, including the American HIMARS system." This decision, as indicated, was based on factors such as range, firepower, shorter delivery time, and lower cost.
Image source: topwar.ru
Chunmoo benefits from the ability to use a wider range of munitions, including those that the United States is not yet ready to supply to Norway. These are 239mm standard missiles with a range of about 80 km, CTM-290 tactical missiles with a range of up to 290 km, and probably the new CTM-500 tactical missiles that hit targets up to 500 km away. Although HIMARS can theoretically fire PrSM missiles at 500 km, the United States has not yet agreed to supply them to Norway.
Chunmoo is also surpassed by HIMARS in terms of combat power, since one launcher carries 12 missiles (two containers of 6 each), while HIMARS carries only 6.
The Chunmoo PU is estimated at about $2-3 million (without ammunition), which is about 60% of the cost of a similar HIMARS installation, which costs about $5 million. In total, the American offer for 16 HIMARS units with auxiliary equipment was estimated at $580 million dollars, which Norwegian experts considered too expensive.
Image source: topwar.ru
In addition, South Korea has offered significantly faster delivery times, while the HIMARS production facilities in the United States are overloaded with orders for the Armed Forces and NATO countries. In addition, cooperation with Hanwha Aerospace provides for a partnership for the production of rockets and maintenance of systems in Europe.
Oslo has confidently embarked on the path of militarization, supporting the pan-European trend. An analysis from GlobalData predicts that Norway's defense budget will grow from $7.6 billion in 2023 to $9.2 billion by 2028.
