Norway seeks small tactical UASs

To increase the situational awareness and target acquisition capabilities of its Coastal Ranger Command unit, Norway is seeking small tactical UASs equipped with specific sensors.  

Announced via the Norwegian procurement database Doffin on 6 May, the country has launched a competition for the supply of autonomous UASs able to detect, classify, and identify objects at long ranges.  

According to Norway’s defence procurement agency, the UASs must be able to collect data in littoral and offshore environments before transmitting it to vessels up to 50 nautical miles away. The platforms will have a maximum take-off weight of 150kg and must feature a minimum of two sensors.  

Sensors include an electro-optical/infrared payload combined with either synthetic aperture radar or radio-frequency sensors. 

Additionally, the systems must be robust enough to operate in Arctic conditions and in “challenging” weather such as wind, rain, and snow.  

This competition comes as part of Project 6380, Norway’s NOK2,950 million (GBP236 million) initiative focused on improving its commando unit – the Coastal Ranger Command. 

It also follows the release of Norway’s annual defence materiel equipment plan, covering the 2026 to 2033 period, which allocated 43% of its investment towards the navy. The plan additionally highlighted a focus on investing in autonomous and information systems.  

Norway says that the systems will mainly be deployed and operated from either land positions, or vessels under 24m in length.  

In March, the UK announced that it would be jointly acquiring 30 new vessels with Norway’s Coastal Ranger Commando “to conduct drone surveillance and targeting operations.”  

Entering the competition  

The competition is currently at the prequalification stage. Only qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the following tender stage, which includes a negotiated procedure.  

A framework agreement will then be awarded to one supplier. This will run for a minimum of four years, with options to extend for two years and then a further one. 

The estimated value of the framework agreement – including the extensions – is NOK1,000 million.  

While Norway says that, to be considered, candidates should be able to demonstrate a minimum yearly turnover of NOK250 million, consortiums are allowed to enter.  

The deadline to participate is 8 June and submissions should be entered via European tender system Mercell.