Norway, Finland and South Korea have all signed an agreement to enhance Norwegian defence capabilities.
News story | Date: 08/12/2023 | Ministry of Defence
Both Norway and Finland have purchased the K9 artillery system from South Korea. The signing of this agreement facilitates an easier collaboration between Norway and Finland when it comes to the shipment of spare parts between the two nations, all without the need for an approval from South Korea. – This agreement will aid in the enhancement of Norwegian and Finnish defence capabilities in the north, states Defence minister Bjørn Arild Gram (SP).
-The direct results of this agreement are that artillery vehicles will be operational in a shorter span of time. This will aid our defence capabilities and leave us less vulnerable. We will continue our work in arranging similar agreements such as this with other nations that deliver weapon systems to Nordic states. Here, South Korea has taken the lead, states the Minister of Defence.
Collaboration on maintenance of artillery
Finland and Norway have a longstanding history of collaboration when it comes to the maintenance of K9 systems. Before the signing of this new agreement, the procedure was bureaucratic, comprehensive, and time-consuming. A signed application had to be mailed to South Korea before any reserved parts could be moved between Norway and Finland. Now the two nations can simply send a report, after the spare parts have been delivered. The agreement allows our two nations to freely transfer spare parts between the countries, even though this involves military material, where restrictions are typically imposed by the originating nation, South Korea.
-Now that Finland is a member of NATO, our collaboration is more important than ever, and this arrangement will further enhance our defence capabilities, states the minister.
Long lasting logistic collaboration with Finland
Finland and Norway have several common equipment and weapon systems. Sharing information, experiences, and services provides operational advantages. Collaboration will be further developed in the years to come.
-When Sweden becomes a member of NATO, the cooperation between our countries enters a new phase. Anything that contributes to simplifying and facilitating collaboration across borders is crucial for preparedness. Now, the work continues to identify additional opportunities for simplification. At the same time, the Defense will collaborate even more closely with Finland on the K9 and other shared equipment systems," concludes the Minister of Defense.
