Collaborates With the Swedish and Norwegian Armed Forces on the Purchase of New Railcars
Thor Gjermund Eriksen, CEO of Bane NOR, says the agreement is a direct result of Bane NOR's role in total defense and the good Nordic cooperation on public safety and transport preparedness. (Photo: Aksel Jermstad).
Bane NOR has entered into an agreement with the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Swedish Armed Forces regarding the acquisition of new railcars. "The agreement involves a significant improvement in capacity for military transport on the railways in both Norway and Sweden," says CEO Thor Gjermund Eriksen.
Bane NOR, which is responsible for operating, maintaining and building the railways in Norway, has entered into an agreement with the Norwegian Armed Forces and the Swedish Armed Forces regarding the purchase of new railcars.
The agreement results from Nordic cooperation and will cover new transport needs in Norway and the Nordic region. The backdrop is the new security political situation after Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Sweden's and Finland's entry into NATO, according to a press release.
Capacity for military transport
"The agreement is a direct result of Bane NOR's role in total defense and the good Nordic cooperation on public safety and transport preparedness. The agreement involves a significant improvement in capacity for military transport on the railway both in Norway and Sweden, between the countries, and to other countries in Europe," says Thor Gjermund Eriksen, CEO of Bane NOR.
According to the announcement, the acquisition will strengthen the capacity for transporting heavier material by rail, such as new tanks.
The Ofoten Line connects Norway and Sweden in the North. During the Immediate Response military exercise in May, American military material was loaded on the railway in Narvik to be transported to Finland via Northern Sweden. (Photo: Marianne Henriksen / Bane NOR).
Joint requirements ensure a joint standard
According to Bane NOR, joint procurement requirements will ensure that the railcars are of the same type, meet military needs in Norway and Sweden, and satisfy current regulations.
"With the war in Ukraine and Sweden, and Finland as new NATO members, closer Nordic cooperation on cross-border transport is necessary. It is, therefore, positive that Bane NOR is collaborating with both the Norwegian and Swedish defense authorities on the purchase of railcars that can meet both military and civilian needs. The railway will become even more attractive for the transport of heavy civilian goods while the readiness of the railway is also strengthened," says the Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård (Labor).
Can be rented out for civil freight transport
When the Norwegian railcars are not used by the Armed Forces, the requirements will ensure that they can be used internally in Bane Nor, and they will also be able to be rented out for civilian freight transport that includes heavy loads. This is important to keep the wagons in good condition and ready for use, and also increases capacity in civilian freight transport.
Director Gro Jære in the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency emphasizes that the ability to move heavier military materiel and supplies by rail within Norway and between the Nordic countries is crucial for the joint defense capability.
"This collaboration shows that cross-sector and Nordic collaboration can produce significant effects, and I am very satisfied that we have come to this agreement," she adds.
