United States approves $270 million artillery shell sale to Norway

The United States Department of State has approved a $270 million foreign military sale of M795 155mm high explosive (HE) projectiles to Norway. This procurement is part of an existing bilateral framework agreement, which will see the ceiling for such purchases increased by approximately 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner.

The sale includes technical services, documentation, and logistics to support the Norwegian Armed Forces in enhancing their artillery and mid-range firepower. The M795 projectiles are designed for use with towed and self-propelled howitzers and are capable of neutralizing enemy personnel, heavy vehicles, and various infrastructure.

Contract work will be facilitated by American Ordinance in Iowa and General Dynamics in Arizona. U.S. officials stated the sale supports national security objectives by strengthening an ally crucial to European stability and noted that the package is intended to address current and future threats without altering the fundamental military balance in Europe.