M3 vehicles can drive straight into water, connect to floating bridges and ferries, and carry all NATO vehicles. (GDELS)
The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS)–Bridge Systems signed a contract for the delivery of the M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system on 28 November, GDELS and the NDMA announced later the same day. The NDMA valued the contract at NOK1.2 billion (USD118 million).
Deliveries are planned from the third quarter of 2026 to 2028, with NDMA Director General Gro Jære saying, “In collaboration with the supplier and the Swedish Armed Forces, we have secured this contract for the bridge and ferry system for the [Norwegian] Army in record time. The amphibious vehicles can be launched in less than 10 minutes by a small crew of two or three soldiers, and transport tanks and heavy vehicles across rivers and fjords.” A GDELS spokesperson told
Janes
on 2 December that the M3 is fit for use in fresh and saltwater.
GDELS said Norway is the third Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) member to procure the M3 after Sweden and Denmark, bringing the number of users to six. It noted that Germany and the UK ordered M3s in October through the Joint Organisation for Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). Latvia ordered four M3s in 2021.
Jære said, “One of the most important advantages of the M3 vehicle is joint use with other NATO forces. It facilitates co-operation, joint training, and logistics co-ordination, and contributes to more effective joint operations.”
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