Norwegian
soldiers get new head
protection gear from Halden based company
The
Halden based company Cato Ringstad AS has won the contract for production
of the new helmets for the Norwegian Defence. The Defence's existing steel-helmets
are to be replaced with helmets made of the fibre material Aramid within the
next years, the Headquarters Defence Command Norway (HDC) informs in a press
release. The Defence is therefore ordering 99 000 new helmets for the Norwegian
soldiers. The ministry of Defence has given the Defence Material Command the
authority to enter into a contract with the company Cato Ringstad AS in Halden
for production of 44 000 helmets, and an option for deliveries of an additional
55 000. Headquarters
Defence Command Norway informs
that the Halden based company has won
the contract
"in fierce international competition where the Norwegian alternative is substantially
less expensive". The contract has a value of 39 million Norwegian Kroner,
and deliveries are to be made within the period 2000-2003. The helmets will
give the soldiers better protection and comfort than today's helmet, Headquarters
Defence Command Norway informs. The procurement of new helmets is a part of
the "Program soldier 2000", which serves the purpose of modernising the soldiers
clothing and equipment. Norwegian divisions on foreign service have previously
received helmets made of similar materials. (NTB)
