Kongsberg Wins ODIN Contract to supply Artillery System for Norway and Sweden

Norway and Sweden have chosen Kongsberg Defence Systems (KDS) to adapt and supply its ODIN Artillery Fire System for the Archer self-propelled artillery system. The contract carries an initial estimated value of $16 million, and is part of the joint Norwegian-Swedish artillery cooperation program centered on the procurement of 48 Archer systems.

ODIN is designed to manage an artillery system's operations through the chain of command and integrated inspection instruments, communication systems, command posts and guns.

The contract secured by KDS was signed with the Norwegian and Swedish defense material procurement agencies, Forvarets Logistikk Organisajon (FLO) and Forsvarets Materielverk (FMV).

The two-year contract marks the continuation of a deal signed in March by KDS and the Norwegian Armed Forces. The ODIN system is scheduled for delivery in 2012.

ODIN is to be integrated with the Archer 155mm self-propelled guns ordered by Sweden and Norway from BAE Systems Bofors, Karlskoga, Sweden. This project will see each country invest $1.2 billion to acquire an initial 24 units. Archer has been developed as a light, mobile, air-portable, highly automated system.

The Archer system comprises BAE's FH77-B05 155mm/52 caliber cannon mounted on a modified Volvo six-wheel commercial truck. The Archer is capable of hitting targets at ranges of up to 50 kilometers (31 miles) with rocket-boosted ammunition.