Laser Shark

Norwegian artillery personnel checking out the first K9 VIDAR* in South Korea:
 

 
* Strange that it got a name change rather than the usual "N" or "NO" added to the designation, and it's even stranger that they chose the Norse God of Vengeance rather than the Norse God of Thunder.

From UD2-1, the Norwegian Armed Forces' safety regulations for military land activity:

SPV = IFV variant
STRILED = Command & Control variant
Høyde = Height
 
Source: https://forsvaret.no/hv/ForsvaretDocuments/UD 2-1 (norsk, rev 01).pdf (page 212)
 
If we compare this layout with the image posted by @David Moyes, we can see that the Norwegian Army has not been willing to sacrifice the eighth seat for more internal storage space. Norwegian CV90s also have some extra storage capacity on the hull to compensate for this (not seen on the hull of Dutch or Danish CV90s):
 

 

 
 
CV9030NF1 is not a designation for the new CV90 Mk IIIb but for the CV90 Mk I that were upgraded for service in Afghanistan.
 

From UD2-1, the Norwegian Armed Forces' safety regulations for military land activity:

SPV = IFV variant
STRILED = Command & Control variant
Høyde = Height
 
Source: https://forsvaret.no/hv/ForsvaretDocuments/UD 2-1 (norsk, rev 01).pdf (page 212)
 
If we compare this layout with the image posted by @David Moyes, we can see that the Norwegian Army has not been willing to sacrifice the eighth seat for more internal storage space. Norwegian CV90s also have some extra storage capacity on the hull to compensate for this (not seen on the hull of Dutch or Danish CV90s):
 

 

 
 
CV9030NF1 is not a designation for the new CV90 Mk IIIb but for the CV90 Mk I that were upgraded for service in Afghanistan.
 

From UD2-1, the Norwegian Armed Forces' safety regulations for military land activity:

SPV = IFV variant
STRILED = Command & Control variant
Høyde = Height
 
Source: https://forsvaret.no/hv/ForsvaretDocuments/UD 2-1 (norsk, rev 01).pdf (page 212)
 
If we compare this layout with the image posted by @David Moyes, we can see that the Norwegian Army has not been willing to sacrifice the eighth seat for more internal storage space. Norwegian CV90s also have some extra storage capacity on the hull to compensate for this (not seen on the hull of Dutch or Danish CV90s):
 

 

 
 
CV9030NF1 is not a designation for the new CV90 Mk IIIb but for the CV90 Mk I that were upgraded for service in Afghanistan.
 

Our Finnish neighbors' new/modernized RK-62M3:
 

 

Norwegian Army orders 6 Leopard 2 based AVBLs from KMW: 
 
 
 
It's not the end for the Leo 1 platform in the Norwegian Army, though, as the NM217 ARVs will be updated and kept in service alongside the new Wisent 2 ARVs.

The earlier mentioned P5050 lives on, but it’s been reduced in scope, and is now a technical lifetime extension (instead of a proper MLU). This was to be expected considering the age and state of the tanks, the fact that certain parts are out of/has been replaced in production, and that there will be no replacement tank before 2025.
 
More details here:
https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:572045-2018:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0
https://kgv.doffin.no/ctm/Supplier/Documents/Folder/163257
 
In other somewhat Leo 2 related news, the new Wisent 2 ARVs have begun entering service with Norwegian Army units, so there is some neat footage of the beasts out there:
 

 

 
"There is always a bigger fish"
 

https://forsvaret.no/forsvarsmateriell/presserom/de-første-bergingspanservognene-er-overført-til-hæren
 
I also recall mentioning that the Norway was interested in acquiring new AEVs a few months ago, and it’s been announced that we have opted to buy another 6 Wisent 2s in the AEV and mine breeching configurations: https://forsvaret.no/forsvarsmateriell/presserom/forsvarsmateriell-møter-studentene/hæren-får-pansret-ingeniørpanservogn
 

The earlier mentioned P5050 lives on, but it’s been reduced in scope, and is now a technical lifetime extension (instead of a proper MLU). This was to be expected considering the age and state of the tanks, the fact that certain parts are out of/has been replaced in production, and that there will be no replacement tank before 2025.
 
More details here:
https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:572045-2018:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0
https://kgv.doffin.no/ctm/Supplier/Documents/Folder/163257
 
In other somewhat Leo 2 related news, the new Wisent 2 ARVs have begun entering service with Norwegian Army units, so there is some neat footage of the beasts out there:
 

 

 
"There is always a bigger fish"
 

https://forsvaret.no/forsvarsmateriell/presserom/de-første-bergingspanservognene-er-overført-til-hæren
 
I also recall mentioning that the Norway was interested in acquiring new AEVs a few months ago, and it’s been announced that we have opted to buy another 6 Wisent 2s in the AEV and mine breeching configurations: https://forsvaret.no/forsvarsmateriell/presserom/forsvarsmateriell-møter-studentene/hæren-får-pansret-ingeniørpanservogn
 

The earlier mentioned P5050 lives on, but it’s been reduced in scope, and is now a technical lifetime extension (instead of a proper MLU). This was to be expected considering the age and state of the tanks, the fact that certain parts are out of/has been replaced in production, and that there will be no replacement tank before 2025.
 
More details here:
https://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:572045-2018:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0
https://kgv.doffin.no/ctm/Supplier/Documents/Folder/163257
 
In other somewhat Leo 2 related news, the new Wisent 2 ARVs have begun entering service with Norwegian Army units, so there is some neat footage of the beasts out there:
 

 

 
"There is always a bigger fish"
 

https://forsvaret.no/forsvarsmateriell/presserom/de-første-bergingspanservognene-er-overført-til-hæren
 
I also recall mentioning that the Norway was interested in acquiring new AEVs a few months ago, and it’s been announced that we have opted to buy another 6 Wisent 2s in the AEV and mine breeching configurations: https://forsvaret.no/forsvarsmateriell/presserom/forsvarsmateriell-møter-studentene/hæren-får-pansret-ingeniørpanservogn
 

Source is the Norwegian rittmester Christoffer Westermoen via the Norwegian defense and security website aldrimer.no. Westermoen is involved with the Norwegian tank upgrade/replacement project, and has let himself be interviewed due to grievances with how the MoD has handled the project.
 
Is the quoted part accurate info @SH_MM?

Source is the Norwegian rittmester Christoffer Westermoen via the Norwegian defense and security website aldrimer.no. Westermoen is involved with the Norwegian tank upgrade/replacement project, and has let himself be interviewed due to grievances with how the MoD has handled the project.
 
Is the quoted part accurate info @SH_MM?

Nammo could deliver its 155mm extreme range ramjet-powered artillery round as soon as 2023, according to the company. Testing is currently ongoing for the round, which has a range of up to 100km, and the company is expecting to carry out a live firing of the projectile in 2019/2020.

Not sure what to say about this muzzle brake.
 

The CV90120-T prototype has showed up in the Netherlands from the looks of it.
 

 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjWhgmEBQq4/?taken-by=esmeevanwijk

Slightly larger rendering.

With the introduction of the new K9 Thunder SPG and BONUS anti armour munition, the Norwegian Army finally has the tools it needs to defeat the Wehrmacht:
 

 
Norwegian article with more K9 footage: https://forsvaret.no/aktuelt/her-er-k9-thunder

With the introduction of the new K9 Thunder SPG and BONUS anti armour munition, the Norwegian Army finally has the tools it needs to defeat the Wehrmacht:
 

 
Norwegian article with more K9 footage: https://forsvaret.no/aktuelt/her-er-k9-thunder

With the introduction of the new K9 Thunder SPG and BONUS anti armour munition, the Norwegian Army finally has the tools it needs to defeat the Wehrmacht:
 

 
Norwegian article with more K9 footage: https://forsvaret.no/aktuelt/her-er-k9-thunder

More info on the new VBCI for Qatar:
 
 
MCT-30 has been redesigned, and it now includes a dual launcher for MMP missiles in the rear. Looks a hell of a lot better than previous attempts at integrating ATMGs into this turret IMO.

More info on the new VBCI for Qatar:
 
 
MCT-30 has been redesigned, and it now includes a dual launcher for MMP missiles in the rear. Looks a hell of a lot better than previous attempts at integrating ATMGs into this turret IMO.

BAE Systems has submitted its proposal to the U.S. Army to build and test the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle for use by the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).
 

Protector RWS LW-30:
 
"The PROTECTOR RWS-LW30 is an extension of the existing PROTECTOR RWS Family providing enhanced operational capability by use of a 30mm canon. In additional to the powerful M230LF 30mm canon as a main weapon, the PROTECTOR RWS-LW30 offer modularity for single weapon, dual weapon and even triple weapon configuration where the M230LF main weapon, 7.62mm coax weapon and a Javelin ATM can be installed simultaneously. The versatile system architecture enables support for future integrations such as Stinger missile or other effectors."
 

 
 https://www.truppendienst.com/themen/beitraege/artikel/up-gunning-stryker-and-oshkosh-jltv/
 

That's quite interesting. As far as I know, there aren't really any modern (i.e. 2A6/2A7) Leopard 2 tanks available for loan or leasing. Germany doesn't seem to be interested in giving tanks away considering that they are upgrading older tanks and want to increase then German tank fleet. The Netherlands have sold most of their 180 Leopard 2A6 tanks to Canada (20), Portugal (37) and Finland (100) - all these countries don't . The 16 last Dutch Leopard 2A6 tanks were incorporated into the German army (together with 2 tanks loaned from Germany they are operated by Dutch crews). That leaves only Greece with 170 Leopard 2A6 and Spain with 219 as other sources of the Leopard 2A6. The Leopard 2A5 is only operated by Poland, Sweden and Denmark, all these countries are currently upgrading/enlarging their tank fleets.
 
The market for new leased/loaned tanks isn't really there. The M1 Abrams might be available - and maybe the Leclerc tank. I can imagine that the German industry manages to persuade the government for some kind of odd deal, that would end in Norway being offered German 2A6 tanks, while the Norwegian Leopard 2A4 tanks  then are added to the Leopard 2A7V upgrade. In the end we have loaned/leased Leopard 2 tanks to the Netherlands, Canada, Sweden and Spain over the past two/three decades.
AFAIK Rheinmetall and KMW still own a few Leopard 2 tanks, so they might upgrade them and offer them in 2019 or they use these tanks to replace the German ones loaned/leased to Norway. The former could mean that Rheinmetall might in theory be able to offer a variant of the Leopard 2 ADT (formerly known as "Revolution" until Rheinmetall saw that some customers - i.e. non-democratic countries or those with instable democracies - might link the word "revolution" to something bad).
 
I don't really know if a Leopard 2 replacement will be ready in 2025. The MGCS might still need a few years, so essentially they have to replace the leased/loaned tanks Leopard 2 tanks (or a version of the Leclerc/Abrams).
 
 
 
___
On an unrelated note:
Austrian Leopard 2A4 "upgrades"
 

Leopard 2A4 for riot controll
 


Leopard 2A4 with shield for the loader
 
... and the latest upgrade:

 
Leopard 2 with new external storage racks!
 
Each tank made as limited edition (one piece per upgrade).

People are pushing hard for new Leopard 2 A7Vs for the Norwegian Army it seems. It's been a long time since I've seen this level of engagement on a subject that doesn't involve 'distriktspolitikk'. From BFO:
 
 
Source: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1491162317605805&id=119205921468125 
(translated from Norwegian w. Google Translate and by me)

All the upgraded CV90s come with extra mine protection afaik.
 
 
I suppose that the main reason for why these are outfitted with 81mm mortars is probably because that’s all the Norwegian Army has atm, and acquiring new 120mm mortars + ammunition would have added too much costs.
 
With that being said, the VingPos Mortar Weapon System was developed on the request of the Norwegian Army, and it is designed to be able to accommodate both  81mm mortars and 120mm mortars, so  might be that they’re hoping on acquiring some eventually.