The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has entered into an agreement on test systems for NATO

Norway is the host nation for the procurement of new test systems for radar and electronic support measures (ESM) for NATO FORACS's three facilities in the USA, Greece and Norway. The project is financed with NATO's investment funds through the NATO Security Infrastructure Program (NSIP), and the contract is worth more than 14 million euros.

Published: 10. April 2025
Front row from left: Thierry Locquette (Keysight), Lieutenant Colonel Hanna Marie Bjerke (MoD and FORACS board member), Eiliv Ofigsbø (Director, NDMA ICT Capabilities). Second row: Carlo Santangelo (Keysight), Lars Hovland (Project Manager, NDMA ICT Capabilities). Back row from left: Bert Esser (Keysight), Kornelis Gabela (Keysight), Casper Molthe (NDMA Contracts Department). Photo: Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency
Front row from left: Thierry Locquette (Keysight), Lieutenant Colonel Hanna Marie Bjerke (MoD and FORACS board member), Eiliv Ofigsbø (Director, NDMA ICT Capabilities). Second row: Carlo Santangelo (Keysight), Lars Hovland (Project Manager, NDMA ICT Capabilities). Back row from left: Bert Esser (Keysight), Kornelis Gabela (Keysight), Casper Molthe (NDMA Contracts Department). Photo: Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency

The contract is awarded to Keysight Technologies B.V. (Netherlands) following a prior international tender competition. On behalf of NATO, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency is responsible for the procuring of new test systems for radar and electronic support measures (ESM) for NATO FORACS (NATO Naval Forces Sensors and Weapons Accuracy Check Sites). The systems are used for testing accuracy and calibration of sensors on allied maritime vessels. 

- Keysight Technologies delivered a solid offer where they demonstrated excellent understanding of user requirements and needs, and delivered detailed descriptions of how they would solve the tasks, says Eiliv Ofigsbø, Director of ICT Capabilities at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency. The company already has fully developed products with data sheets available, which reduces risk with complicating development activities and potential delays. 

The contract is being entered into on behalf of NATO, and the procurement is scheduled to be completed in the autumn of 2026. This means that this investment will be carried out much faster and significantly less expensively than originally estimated in NATO's Maritime Programme (MF CPP). The main reason for this is the choice of Norway as the host nation for the procurements for all three ranks under one project. This provides synergy and efficiency gains that will contribute to better solutions for users, faster and at lower costs. 

- I am very pleased that Keysight Technologies and NATO long standing and fruitful collaboration has resulted in such positive outcome”, said Thierry Locquette EMEA VP at Keysight Technologies. “Keysight strong local presence in Europe has been a key enabler for developing and delivering complex Aerospace & Defense (AD) solutions in the region.

An illustration showing a maritime surveillance and defense system. Above the sea surface, military ships, a surveillance aircraft, and a helicopter equipped with sonar are visible. Below the surface, there is a submarine, an underwater drone, and sensors communicating via sonar waves
Illustration: NATO FORACS

The project will deliver new systems to NATO FORACS test facilities in Stavanger (NOR), Crete (GRE) and West Palm Beach (USA). The project is part of NATO's Maritime Capability Development Programme (MF CPP), funded by NATO with NSIP funds with Norway as host nation and responsible for the implementation of the project. 

NATO CIS