SEOUL, October 27 (AJP) - Norway, which signed a $922 million contract in January to purchase Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, is seeking a broader and longer-term defense partnership with South Korea, including on the maritime front, to fortify security fortress against the Russian threat, according its defense minister.
The partnership could extend beyond weapons purchases to maritime security, technology development and industrial cooperation, Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik told AJP in a recent email interview.
“We see significant potential for South Korean defense companies to contribute to Norway’s future defense modernization, not only through the systems they deliver, but through long-term industrial cooperation, technology and capability development in Norway,” Sandvik said.
His comments come as Norway advances a naval procurement program that could create opportunities for Korean shipbuilders.
On Oct. 20, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency outlined plans to procure up to 20 ocean-going vessels for Norway, Britain and Lithuania through two shipbuilding contracts. The procurement covers as many as 14 naval vessels and six coast guard ships, with contracts targeted for 2027 and deliveries beginning in 2030.
The project emphasizes Norwegian industrial participation, but could offer opportunities for Korean shipbuilders through partnerships or subcontracting, subject to procurement requirements. No South Korean participation has been announced.
Sandvik stressed that defense purchases should deliver lasting industrial benefits.
“For Norway, it is important that the industrial commitments made as part of our procurements are fully delivered,” he said.
The Chunmoo agreement, signed on Jan. 30 between Hanwha Aerospace and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, covers 16 K239 launchers, precision-guided missiles and logistical support.
It forms part of a broader Norwegian military modernization project budgeted at approximately 19 billion Norwegian kroner ($2 billion), with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
The acquisition builds on an established defense relationship. Norway already operates South Korean K9 self-propelled howitzers, while its naval logistics vessel KNM Maud was built in South Korea.
“South Korea and its defense industry have already played an important role in Norway’s defense modernization, through programs such as the K9 artillery system and the KNM Maud logistics vessel,” Sandvik said.
“The selection of Hanwha for our new long-range precision-fire further strengthens this partnership.”
Chunmoo will give the Norwegian Army a new capability to strike targets up to 500 kilometers away, strengthening deterrence along NATO’s northern flank amid heightened tensions with Russia.
Sandvik, who has served under Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre since February 2025, sees scope for cooperation well beyond artillery.
“As two technologically advanced maritime nations with a strong interest in maintaining a rules-based international order, Norway and South Korea can deepen cooperation in areas such as defense, maritime security, technology and resilience,” he said.
“We see great potential in broadening our bilateral security and defense cooperation as a key pillar in a strategic partnership between our two countries.”
That should include “strengthening our security policy dialogue and broadening our defense materiel cooperation,” he added.
Sandvik described South Korea as one of Norway’s most important security partners in the Indo-Pacific, saying developments in Europe and Asia can no longer be viewed separately.
“The security of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific is fundamentally and increasingly interlinked,” he said. “This has been further reinforced by the war in Ukraine, which contributes to instability in both regions.”
He emphasized both bilateral cooperation and NATO’s ties with its four Indo-Pacific partners — South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Known as the IP4, the group works with the alliance on shared challenges including cyber defense, emerging technologies and maritime security.
“We regard South Korea as a trusted partner and value the strong security and defense cooperation that has developed between our two countries,” he said.
Norway’s push for deeper partnerships comes as it undertakes one of the largest military modernization programs in its history, driven largely by concerns about Russia.
“Russia will remain the primary threat to European security,” Sandvik said. “The threat posed by Russia will be even larger if a free and democratic Ukraine does not prevail.”
Norway shares an Arctic border with Russia, whose strategically important naval and nuclear forces are concentrated around the Kola Peninsula.
Sandvik warned that the Arctic, long characterized by relatively stable relations, is increasingly exposed to geopolitical confrontation.
“Russia continues to modernize its forces in the Arctic,” he said. “Vessels are being equipped with modern weapons systems, and Russia continues extensive weapons testing in the region, to improve existing systems and to develop new ones.”
He nevertheless distinguished Russia’s long-term military threat from the immediate risks facing NATO members.
“Although Russia is building up its military capabilities, it is unlikely that it will use them in a large-scale attack against NATO in the short term,” he said.
“The most likely threat in the short term is hybrid and covert in nature, involving sabotage, influence operations, proxies and other means that remain below the threshold of war.”
Russian forces committed to Ukraine could also be redirected relatively quickly if the fighting subsided.
“Over time, we have seen Russia expand its military presence along its border with NATO,” Sandvik said. “Most of its personnel are currently committed to the war in Ukraine, but equipment and units could quickly be redeployed if there were a ceasefire or a reduction in hostilities.”
Against that backdrop, Norway is expanding both defense spending and military capabilities.
Sandvik said parliament had unanimously approved an additional 121 billion Norwegian kroner for the country’s long-term defense plan through 2036, bringing planned expenditure for 2025–2036 to 1.854 trillion kroner.
“The top priorities of the plan are renewing the navy by procuring six new Type 212 submarines, five Type 26 frigates as well as up to 28 new standardized vessels,” he said.
Norway is also expanding its ground forces, with plans for two additional brigades, new infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, long-range precision weapons and air defense systems. Unmanned systems, electronic warfare and counter-drone technologies are further priorities.
The buildup coincides with a shift in responsibilities within NATO as European governments take on a larger share of conventional defense under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The Trump Administration has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to a strong NATO, but support for NATO does not mean that nothing changes,” Sandvik said.
“It has long been clear that the U.S. would make adjustments to its posture in Europe, and that Europe would need to step up, taking on more responsibility for conventional defense.”
Sandvik acknowledged changes to U.S. rotational deployments in Europe but argued that greater European investment would strengthen the alliance.
“We already see a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO,” he said. “All of this is making NATO stronger. That is what NATO 3.0 is all about.”
The concept describes a rebalancing in which European members take primary responsibility for the continent’s conventional defense while the United States maintains its broader security commitments.
Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO has also reshaped Northern Europe’s strategic environment, allowing the Nordic countries to coordinate defense planning more closely.
“With all the Nordic countries in NATO, cooperation within the region is stronger than before,” Sandvik said. “NATO is now better placed to handle the High North and the Baltic Sea region as one theatre.”
For South Korean companies, Norway’s military expansion could generate business extending well beyond the initial sale of equipment.
Hanwha Aerospace secured a follow-on order for 24 K9 VIDAR self-propelled howitzers in September 2025, which will expand Norway’s fleet to 52. Together with Chunmoo, the growing inventory could generate demand for ammunition, spare parts, maintenance, training and upgrades over the coming decades, beyond support already covered by existing contracts.
Industrial ties are also developing.
Hanwha signed a cooperation agreement with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in 2024 covering integrated combat systems, digital vehicle platforms and remote weapon stations for Korean-made artillery and rocket systems.
In April 2026, Hanwha held discussions with Norwegian companies including Nammo, Andøya Space, Akkodis and Kitron on potential joint development, co-production and supply-chain integration.
For Sandvik, such long-term cooperation is central to the relationship.
“This is how South Korean industry can make an even broader contribution to strengthening Norway’s defense capabilities and industrial base,” he said.
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