In May 2024, Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state, a move Israel criticized as rewarding terrorism.
By Hezy Laing
Norway’s quiet decision to acquire Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Trophy active protection system marks one of the most striking contradictions in European defense policy in 2026.
Publicly, Norway has been among the most outspoken critics of Israel, frequently condemning Israeli military actions and supporting diplomatic pressure in international forums.
Yet in May 2026, Oslo confirmed that its new Leopard 2A8NOR main battle tanks would be delivered with EuroTrophy, the European‑produced variant of Israel’s Trophy system.
The purchase is not symbolic. Trophy, first operational in 2010 and combat‑proven since 2011, is the world’s only active protection system with thousands of real battlefield interceptions.
According to Rafael, more than 2,000 Trophy systems have been sold globally, accumulating over 2 million operational hours.
The system demonstrated exceptional performance during the Israel–Hamas War beginning in October 2023, where it successfully countered unprecedented barrages of anti‑tank guided missiles, including Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel’s northern front.
Norway’s procurement is tied directly to its acquisition of the Leopard 2A8NOR, part of a broader European modernization effort.
Germany began supplying these tanks to Norway in 2026, and every 2A8‑series tank is equipped with EuroTrophy, a joint venture between Rafael, Krauss‑Maffei Wegmann (KMW), and General Dynamics Land Systems Europe.
The system is already selected for the German Leopard, British Challenger, and U.S. Abrams fleets, and has been integrated into 16 armored platforms worldwide.
In the last few years, Norway has adopted an increasingly critical stance against Israel, marking a significant shift from its historical role as a neutral mediator, particularly accelerating after October 2023.
In May 2024, Norway formally recognized a Palestinian state, a move Israel criticized as rewarding terrorism.
Oslo has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza, labeling them “disproportionate”.
Actions taken by Norway include strong support for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding alleged violations of international law.
Furthermore, Norway has continued to fund UNRWA despite revelations the agency has support antisemitic school curriculums and supported Hamas.
Domestically, the sovereign wealth fund has divested from firms connected to Israeli building in Judea and Samaria, and in early 2026, investigations were launched into potential complicity by officials regarding arms exports.
These actions have led to severe tensions, including Israel revoking the diplomatic credentials of Norwegian envoys working with the Palestinian Authority.
Why would Norway, a country that routinely criticizes Israel, adopt one of Israel’s most iconic defense technologies?
The answer is pragmatic: survivability trumps politics.
The Russia‑Ukraine war has shown that tanks without active protection are catastrophically vulnerable.
Thousands of Russian and Ukrainian tanks have been destroyed by drones, RPGs, and anti‑tank missiles.
European militaries now view APS technology as essential, and Trophy is the only system with a decade of proven success.
Norway’s choice reflects a broader European trend: even governments critical of Israel rely on Israeli defense technology when national security is at stake.
As one Israeli report noted, “what happens in the diplomatic arena does not necessarily reflect in defense procurement.”
