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Norway receives first of new CV90 vehicles

CV90 for Norway
Photo: BAE Systems

BAE Systems Hägglunds has delivered the first of new CV90 combat support vehicles to the Norwegian Armed Forces during a ceremony hosted by local industry partner Ritek AS in Levanger, Norway.

The four vehicles are part of an arrangement between BAE Systems, Ritek and the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency from 2021 for the delivery of 20 modernized CV90 engineering vehicles.

The $50 million contract will increase the Norwegian Army’s fleet to 164 vehicles as part of its effort to grow and modernize in the face of evolving threats. The new vehicles will comprise 12 engineering and eight multi-carrier CV90 variants. They are set to be delivered by 2023.

“While rebuilding these vehicles, it has been important for the government that Norwegian jobs are supported,” said Bent Joacim Bentzen, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense. “This has been possible thanks to a smooth and well-functioning collaboration between the Armed Forces, Defence Material Agency, Ritek and the licenser BAE Systems Hägglunds.”

BAE Systems serves as the main supplier, while Ritek plays a central role in purchasing, logistics, final assembly, and integration. Ritek has also been responsible for coordinating the project and growing the participation of Norwegian industry. As a result, about 20 Norwegian companies are now qualified suppliers of products and components for the CV90 vehicles, and an integral part of BAE Systems’ Norwegian supply chain.

“This is an example of how it is possible to achieve fast deliveries through well-functioning cooperation,” said Gro Jære, Director of the Defence Material Agency. “Just over a year after the contract was signed, we can now confirm that we are in the process of delivering the latest production series of CV90-based combat support vehicles to the Armed Forces. I would like to thank BAE Systems, Ritek, and my project staff for their flexibility, focus on delivery and effort so far.”

The delivery ceremony coincided with the completion of Ritek’s new assembly hall for the CV90 project, which increases the total workshop area to 5,500 square meters. The hall is designed to meet all requirements for lifting capacity and flexibility in Ritek’s existing defense-related project portfolio and for future projects.

Norway is one of seven European users operating the CV90. The others are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands. BAE Systems Hägglunds has so far delivered close to 1,300 vehicles in multiple variants.