Norway selects winner of main battle tank competition

Norway has selected German-made Leopard 2A7 as its next main battle tank following an evaluation process to replace its fleet of Leopard 2A4s.

The Norwegian Ministry of Defense has announced that it has decided to procure 54 new, modern Leopard 2A7 battle tanks, with a possibility of an additional 18 tanks.

“The first new tanks are expected to be delivered in 2026 and will be phased in by 2031,” the news release says.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

Norway’s program for new tanks is worth 19.7 Norwegian crowns ($1.93 billion), according to a defense spokesperson.

“In today’s security situation, close defense cooperation in Europe is becoming increasingly important,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said in the statement. “By purchasing German tanks, we ensure that Norway has the same type of tanks as our Nordic neighbors and close allies.”

The purchase comes after a debate triggered by Norway’s defense force chief about whether the NATO member bordering on Russia needs to buy new tanks right now, given the impact of technological developments, such as drones, on the battlefield in Ukraine. Norway was weighing up whether to go with the Leopard 2 or the South Korean K2 Black Panther.

If you would like to show your support for what we are doing, here's where to do it.

If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

TRENDING NOW

Russian missiles fall on home soil during strike on Ukraine

During a recent missile strike targeting Ukraine, several Russian cruise missiles once again ended up falling on Russian territory. On November 28, malfunctioning missiles launched...