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The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $270 million sale of 155mm M795 high-explosive artillery projectiles and related support to Norway, according to a government notification to Congress.
The package adds to an existing Foreign Military Sales case for Norway that was originally valued at $99.99 million and fell below the congressional notification threshold. With the latest addition, the combined case covers non–major defense equipment, including 155mm HE M795 projectiles, technical assistance and documentation, and U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support.
U.S. officials said the proposed sale would bolster a key NATO ally’s artillery and mid-range fires, improve interoperability with U.S. and allied forces, and support broader U.S. foreign policy and security objectives in Europe. The transaction “will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” the notification said, adding that Norway will be able to absorb the equipment without difficulty.
The principal contractors are American Ordnance in Middletown, Iowa, and General Dynamics in Camden, Arkansas. While Norway typically seeks industrial offsets, no such agreements are currently in place for this package; any offsets would be negotiated between the buyer and industry.
The sale would not require additional U.S. government or contractor personnel to be assigned to Norway. The notification did not disclose the number of projectiles covered by the deal.
Congress now has a short review period—15 days for NATO allies such as Norway—to raise any objections. The approval does not constitute a final contract; terms, quantities, and timelines can change during subsequent negotiations.
Demand for 155mm artillery ammunition has surged across NATO as allies replenish stocks and expand production capacity amid sustained support to Ukraine. The M795 is the U.S. Army’s standard high-explosive 155mm projectile and is compatible with a range of NATO-standard howitzers, including systems operated by Norway.
