Norway Acquires GDELS M3 Amphibious Bridge System to Strengthen Mobility and NATO Interoperability.

On November 28, 2025, Norway finalized a contract with GDELS Bridge Systems for the M3 Amphibious Bridge and Ferry System. The purchase aligns Norway with Sweden and Denmark, and increases shared Nordic mobility for heavy forces.

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency confirmed that on November 28, 2025, it signed a contract with General Dynamics European Land Systems Bridge Systems for the delivery of the M3 Amphibious Bridge and Ferry System, a key asset for rapid wet gap crossings. According to information released by the company, Norway has become the third NORDEFCO member to adopt the M3 platform, a step that supports joint Nordic planning and improves the region’s ability to maneuver heavy equipment across complex terrain.
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Norwegian Army to receive the M3 Amphibious Bridge and Ferry System, a highly mobile, self-propelled platform capable of rapidly deploying floating bridges or ferries for heavy military vehicles, enhancing NATO’s wet-gap crossing capabilities. (Picture source: GDELS)

The addition of Norway brings the total number of NATO member states operating the M3 system to six, reinforcing alliance-wide interoperability in amphibious and wet-gap crossing operations. In announcing the contract, GDELS emphasized M3’s reputation as the fastest and most flexible amphibious bridging and ferry system available on the market. The system’s proven track record of performance under harsh climates and difficult terrain — including arctic-like conditions typical of northern theaters — was highlighted as a decisive factor for Norway’s selection.

The M3’s technical credentials make it a cornerstone of modern military mobility. Developed originally in Germany and manufactured by GDELS, the M3 is a self-propelled, four-wheel-drive amphibious rig capable of speeds up to 80 kilometers per hour on land and 14 kilometers per hour in water, powered by two 360-degree rotating pump jets. The system can be quickly deployed in various operational modes: in bridge configuration, up to eight M3 units can form a 100-meter floating bridge in less than 15 minutes, capable of supporting the crossing of NATO-standard heavy equipment, including main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams. In ferry mode, fewer rigs can shuttle vehicles and personnel across wide, wet gaps under combat or disaster-relief conditions.

Strategically, Norway’s procurement of the M3 system highlights a growing trend across NATO to modernize essential mobility assets and ensure greater interoperability in multinational deployments. Just last month, Germany and the United Kingdom, under the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), placed a joint order for a new generation of M3 systems. That agreement, known as the Wide Wet Gap Crossing Programme, will replace aging fleets in both countries and reflects a renewed focus on cross-river maneuver capabilities amid evolving security challenges along NATO’s eastern flank.

For Norway, the acquisition of M3 systems will be particularly relevant for operations in its geographically complex landscape, characterized by fjords, rivers, and seasonal flooding. The integration of the M3 into the Norwegian Army’s combat engineering regiments will enhance tactical mobility in both peacetime and wartime scenarios. It will also ensure smoother participation in NORDEFCO exercises and NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence deployments, where fast, autonomous bridging capabilities can mean the difference between freedom of maneuver and tactical paralysis.

With this latest contract, General Dynamics European Land Systems continues to solidify the M3’s status as NATO’s standard for amphibious bridging. As the geopolitical environment continues to demand greater readiness and flexibility from alliance members, the M3’s combination of speed, autonomy, and battlefield adaptability offers a critical advantage. Norway’s entry into the M3 user group not only strengthens its national defense capabilities but also contributes directly to NATO’s collective engineering power and strategic mobility.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.