Norway seeks to further develop defence materiel cooperation with the US

-The United States is our key partner in defence materiel cooperation. We want to target our efforts to further our excellent cooperation in the years to come, Minister of Defence Grete Faremo announced on 8 December at the opening of the bilateral US-Norwegian defence industry seminar.

The conference was organized by the Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association in collaboration with its US sister organisation, the National Defence Industrial Association (NDIA)

Enhances bilateral relations
The goal of the conference is to strengthen the bilateral defence industry cooperation. This is the first event of this kind, and the intent is to arrange such conferences on a regular basis.

-I am very pleased that industry has initiated this type of event. In addition to benefitting Norwegian industry, it also contributes towards strengthening our bilateral relationship and cooperation with the US in general, - which is of key importance to this government, Faremo expressed.

US-Norwegian materiel cooperation includes Land, Sea and Air capabilities and covers all phases of materiel projects, ranging from R&D and concept development through acquisitions, exercises, and training to maintenance and disposal of equipment. 

-The Armed Forces’ acquisition of the F-35 combat aircraft will, for obvious reasons be a main pillar of the cooperation with the US for years to come, Faremo pointed out.

Industrial Cooperation and ethics is important
- This government is especially focused on how military requirements affect Norwegian defence industry. Therefore we seek to ensure that defence acquisitions also benefit Norwegian companies, Faremo said.

- Norwegian industry is very competitive within a number of areas, such as composites, communications, ammunitions and missile technology. I am very pleased that both Kongsberg and Nammo have won contracts in the US. At the same time I find it important to emphasize that Norway has strict and predictable export control regulations for defence procurement. I am therefore very pleased that the defence industry, in collaboration with Transparency international has established a global standard for ethical guidelines, the Minister of Defence concluded.

Read Defence Minister Faremo's opening address here.