IRIA News

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The United States has approved a possible $270 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Norway for an additional 155mm High Explosive (HE) M795 artillery projectiles, expanding Oslo’s artillery capabilities and reinforcing interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.

The U.S. State Department said the proposed sale includes M795 projectiles, technical assistance, technical documentation, engineering support, logistics services, and other program support. The package will be added to a previously approved Foreign Military Sales case that was originally valued at $99.99 million, bringing the total value of the acquisition to approximately $270 million.

According to U.S. officials, the sale supports Washington’s foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the defense capabilities of a NATO ally that plays an important role in maintaining political stability and economic security in Europe.

The proposed acquisition is intended to improve Norway’s ability to respond to current and future security challenges while increasing interoperability with the United States and other allied militaries. Officials said the new ammunition will enhance the Norwegian Armed Forces’ artillery and mid-range fire capabilities and can be integrated into service without difficulty.

U.S. authorities also stated that the proposed sale would not alter the basic military balance in Europe and would have no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness.

Support Package

In addition to the artillery ammunition, the package includes technical documentation, engineering support, logistics assistance, and other services required to sustain the system throughout its operational life.

The principal contractors for the deal are American Ordnance, based in Middletown, Iowa, and General Dynamics, based in Camden, Arkansas.

Officials said implementation of the sale will not require the deployment of additional U.S. government personnel or contractor representatives to Norway. While Norway typically seeks industrial offset agreements in major defense procurements, no such agreement has been finalized for this package. Any future offset arrangements will be negotiated directly between Norway and the contractors.

The proposed sale must still complete the U.S. congressional notification process before a final contract can be concluded.

M795 Artillery Projectile

The M795 is the U.S. Army’s standard 155mm high-explosive artillery projectile, designed for use with both towed and self-propelled howitzers. Developed by the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center, the projectile entered service during the 1980s and has since undergone multiple upgrades to improve battlefield effectiveness and safety.

Weighing approximately 103 pounds (47 kilograms), the projectile carries either a 24-pound (11-kilogram) TNT or IMX-101 insensitive munition explosive fill. It is designed to engage a wide range of battlefield targets, including enemy personnel, armored and unarmored vehicles, command posts, communications infrastructure, surveillance equipment, logistics facilities, and other military installations.

The projectile measures about 34 inches (86 centimeters) in length and has an effective range of more than 20 kilometers (12 miles), depending on the artillery system and propellant charges used.

The M795 remains one of the most widely used conventional artillery rounds within the U.S. military and several allied armed forces, providing high-explosive fire support for ground operations across a variety of combat environments.

Growing Focus on Artillery Readiness

The latest approval reflects continued efforts by NATO members to strengthen artillery stockpiles and improve long-range fire support capabilities amid an evolving European security environment.

Demand for 155mm artillery ammunition has increased significantly in recent years as many allied nations seek to replenish inventories, modernize their armed forces, and improve readiness for high-intensity operations. The acquisition of additional M795 projectiles will expand Norway’s available ammunition stocks while ensuring compatibility with U.S. and other NATO-standard 155mm artillery systems.

By enhancing Norway’s artillery firepower and interoperability with allied forces, the proposed sale supports broader NATO efforts to improve collective defense capabilities and maintain operational readiness across the alliance.