The US State Department has approved a potential $270 million Foreign Military Sale of M795 155mm high-explosive artillery projectiles to Norway. The package includes ammunition along with technical assistance, documentation, logistics support and other related equipment. Washington said the acquisition would strengthen Norway’s artillery and mid-range firepower while allowing its forces to integrate the capability without major difficulties. The M795 is a high-fragmentation projectile developed for use with both towed and self-propelled 155mm howitzers. Introduced decades ago, the design has been upgraded to meet changing battlefield requirements. Its latest configuration can use TNT or IMX-101 explosive fillings and is intended to engage personnel, vehicles, infrastructure, command and communications facilities, supply areas and other targets. The projectile measures approximately 34 inches in length and has a stated range exceeding 20 kilometers. The proposed Norwegian purchase would also reinforce interoperability between NATO forces while supporting US security and foreign-policy objectives in Europe. Production and contract-related work would involve American Ordinance in Iowa and General Dynamics in Arizona.
