€12 Million for Armed Forces‘ FHCL Requirement

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency for a new Flexible High-Capacity Radio Link (FHCL) for the Norwegian armed forces. Deliveries under the contract, which is valued at 128 MNOK (€12 million) will start in May 2021.

The contract calls for delivery of a complete communications solution, with Kongsberg‘s RL542A as the core component. The radio platform itself was developed by Kongsberg and will be the centrepiece of the system that also includes antennas, cables, portable equipment and other accessories adapted to the Norwegian armed forces’ need for use under demanding conditions. The radio is a NATO Band IV radio link with supreme ECCM capabilities and high data-rates, providing multiple waveforms for both point-to-point and point-to-multi-point operations.

Kongsberg has delivered more than 3,800 radio links to 21 countries worldwide and is considered a leading provider of tactical radio communications. The company‘s radio link systems are a key component of the NASAMS and PATRIOT air defence systems, among others. Deliveries under this contract will contribute to a significant capacity boost for the Norwegian armed forces and will serve to increase export opportunities for the product.

“KONGSBERG is proud to be selected by the Norwegian Armed Forces for the FHCL program. Kongsberg is currently providing the NATO Band III radio link to Norway, as well as the complete communications network for the Kongsberg/Raytheon NASAMS ground-based air defence system in Norway and [with] numerous international customers. The Band IV radio link provides a highly capable and flexible supplementary communication capability,“ explained says Pål Bratlie, Executive VP at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS.