Exclusive News: Kongsberg Plays Pivotal Role in Strengthening NATO and Ukrainian Forces.

In the wake of Russia's 2022 invasion, NATO and Ukrainian forces have been significantly bolstered by the advanced remote weapon stations (RWS) provided by Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace. This Norwegian-based defense giant has emerged as a cornerstone in the collective effort to modernize and rearm forces against potential threats.
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U.S. Army Stryker 8x8 armored vehicle fitted with Kongsberg turret. (Picture source U.S. Army)

Since the onset of the invasion, Kongsberg has secured contracts to supply hundreds of RWS units to NATO allies, including but not limited to the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Canada, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania. Notably, some of these state-of-the-art RWSs are equipped with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) and counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) capabilities.

A significant portion of these systems is being channeled to NATO Allies through the U.S. Army’s Foreign Military Sales program. This initiative aims to fortify forces and allies, with a particular focus on Eastern Europe.

The collaboration between the U.S. Army and Kongsberg dates back to 2018, when the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (2CR) in Germany urgently updated its arsenal in response to Russia's previous invasion of Ukraine. Kongsberg recognized as the world's premier RWS provider, equipped the 2CR with RWSs featuring the Javelin ATGM and new 30mm remote turrets. These systems have since been deployed in multiple operations, reinforcing NATO allies along the conflict's borders.

The recent Russian invasion prompted NATO Allies to procure Kongsberg’s latest RWS to supplement the ground vehicle systems they were supplying to Ukraine. In a significant move, the U.S. Army equipped Ukraine’s 82nd Air Assault Brigade with Kongsberg RWS-armed Strykers ahead of the Spring Offensive. Recent media reports highlight the crucial role these Strykers played in enabling Ukrainian forces to penetrate Russian defenses.

In a separate development, Kongsberg inked a deal in August with the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) to provide C-UAS systems intended for the beleaguered nation. This state-of-the-art solution amalgamates software and hardware from Teledyne FLIR Defense and Kongsberg. It includes the Cerberus XL advanced thermal/visual imaging system paired with sensitive radar sensors and the Kongsberg RWS. This integrated system is designed to swiftly detect, track, and neutralize drone threats.

The IFU, a collaborative initiative by the UK and other international partners, was established to swiftly identify, procure, and deliver essential capabilities to Ukraine. Both Norway and the UK have made significant contributions to this fund.

As the situation unfolds, more contracts are in the pipeline, with plans to equip additional NATO allies, such as Poland and Bulgaria, with these cutting-edge lethality systems. These deals often coincide with the sale of U.S. Abrams tanks and Stryker combat vehicles.

In these trying times, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace's pivotal role in strengthening NATO and Ukrainian forces underscores the importance of international collaboration and advanced defense technology in maintaining peace and security.

Defense News September 2023