Norway Welcomes Cutting-Edge CV90 Combat Support Vehicles from BAE Systems

The inaugural CV90 combat support vehicles were presented to the Norwegian Armed Forces during a formal event organized by local industry collaborator Ritek AS in Levanger, Norway. The four units represent the initial batch of 20 upgraded CV90 engineering vehicles that BAE Systems will supply, in collaboration with Ritek and the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency.

“During the enhancement of these vehicles, it has been crucial for the government to ensure that Norwegian employment opportunities are fostered,” stated Bent Joacim Bentzen, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense. “This has been achievable due to an efficient and well-coordinated partnership among the Armed Forces, Defence Materiel Agency, Ritek, and the licensor BAE Systems Hägglunds.”

Collaborating with the Norwegian defense sector was a pivotal element in expediting the contract finalization and the rapid production of the vehicles, in line with initiatives instigated by the Norwegian parliament to bolster the nation’s economy through the hurdles presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAE Systems acts as the principal provider, while Ritek holds a vital position in procurement, logistics, final assembly, and system integration. Ritek has additionally taken charge of project coordination and enhancing the engagement of Norwegian industries. Consequently, around 20 Norwegian firms are now approved suppliers of products and components for the CV90 vehicles, forming a crucial part of BAE Systems’ Norwegian supply chain.

“This showcases how rapid deliveries can be achieved through effective collaboration,” noted Gro Jære, Director of the Defence Material Agency. “Just over a year after the contract was finalized, we can now confirm that we are in the process of delivering the newest production series of CV90-based combat support vehicles to the Armed Forces. I would like to express my gratitude to BAE Systems, Ritek, and my project team for their adaptability, commitment to delivery, and efforts thus far.”

The strong collaboration among all stakeholders has enhanced Norway’s overall national capability in the defense vehicle domain and its readiness to support these vehicles. The Norwegian CV90 fleet is fully digitized and ranks among the most advanced combat vehicles globally.

“Norway should take pride in its capacity to collaborate with political leaders, procurement agencies, and industry to innovate and confront challenges such as COVID-19 in an ever-changing world,” remarked Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, managing director of BAE Systems Hägglunds. “Once again, this landmark project illustrates the robustness of the relationships among all partners by delivering high-quality vehicles, on schedule and within budget.”

The delivery ceremony coincided with the inauguration of Ritek’s new assembly facility for the CV90 project, which expands the total workshop space to 5,500 square meters. The building is engineered to fulfill all lifting capacity and flexibility requirements in Ritek’s current defense-related project portfolio and for future endeavors.