Norway may block Rolls-Royce sale of Bergen Engines to Russia’s TMH

Security agency considers if sale could jeopardise national security interests

Bergen Engines is, among other things, a supplier to Nato member Norway’s navy. Photograph: Rolls-Royce plc Flickr
Bergen Engines is, among other things, a supplier to Nato member Norway’s navy. Photograph: Rolls-Royce plc Flickr

Norway's NSM security agency may block a planned €150 million sale by Rolls-Royce of its Bergen Engines unit to a company controlled by Russia's TMH Group, the justice ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Britain’s Rolls-Royce announced the planned sale on February 4th as part of a disposal plan aimed at helping the maker of engines for aircraft and ships survive the pandemic.

Bergen Engines is, among other things, a supplier to Nato member Norway's navy.

"It may be that a sale of Bergen Engines AS to TMH Group could jeopardise national security interests," justice minister Monica Maeland said.

READ SOME MORE

“It is therefore necessary to pause this process to establish a sufficient basis of facts on which to consider the transfer,” she said. – Reuters