Norway's Army Receives Final Batch of Rheinmetall MAN Armored Trucks

The Norwegian Army has taken delivery of its last 25 armored trucks from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles, completing the first phase of a major fleet modernization. The new vehicles replace decades-old Scania trucks and mark a significant upgrade in protection, off-road capability, and operational reliability.

The latest delivery brings the Norwegian Army's fleet of armored logistics trucks to 113 units across multiple configurations. Unarmored variants are expected to follow in subsequent deliveries, as the service phases out its entire fleet of Scania trucks dating from the mid-1980s.

"The new trucks will mean greater operational capability, better protection to deliver logistics support, and not least — less maintenance," the Norwegian Armed Forces stated in a press release on June 1.

The vehicles are purpose-built for off-road mobility, allowing logistics units to maneuver alongside combat formations rather than being restricted to paved roads. This is a significant doctrinal shift from the aging Scania fleet, which lacked the armor and terrain capability to operate in contested environments.

Army Chief Major General Lars Lervik welcomed the modernization. "This is a good day for both the Army and the Armed Forces. We are very pleased with this renewal, and these vehicles are better adapted and will give us a few more tools in the toolbox," he said.

Operations officer Åge Gjengedal Sætre of the Combat Train Battalion highlighted the survivability benefits. "They are well-armored and have better protection against roadside explosives. And in terrain, this is a major upgrade," he said.

The 25 new trucks were initially staged at Sessvollmoen before being driven north by personnel from the Combat Train Battalion, part of Brigade Nord — Norway's main army formation based in Troms.

The procurement is a joint Norwegian-Swedish project. A framework agreement signed in 2014 between Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and the two countries' defense materiel agencies has a total value exceeding €150 million for Norway alone, with up to nearly 300 TG3 MIL 8x8 trucks scheduled for delivery by end of 2026. The broader program framework, which extends through 2025, encompasses up to 2,000 logistics vehicles across both nations.

Photo: Forsvaret (Rolf K. Ytterstad)