Norway’s ammunition production hindered by TikTok data center

A Norwegian munitions manufacturer that helps Ukraine is having a power shortages’ problem because of TikTok.

The Raufoss and Nammo companies intended to increase ammunition production for their own needs, as well as those of NATO countries and Ukraine, but the company encountered an unexpected difficulty.

The electricity that was needed by the weapons manufacturer went right to the TikTok’s large data center.

In March, the Chinese firm announced plans to build a high-power data center in the Norwegian town of Hamar, which is located on the other side of Lake Mjøsa.

The Chinese company has already signed a major power supply agreement with a local power supplier.

Nammo and Raufoss fear that the power situation will prevent expansion and employment of more people at the plant.

“If we don’t get access to electricity, Nammo won’t be able to expand the capacity we desperately need,” CEO Morten Brandtzaeg said.

The amount of ammunition that Ukraine receives from Norway and NATO runs out quickly. The government recently announced that it would spend more than two billion crowns on artillery ammunition.

“Nammo started investing in expansion, but now the whole plan is at stake. We have to have more production space and electricity to be able to fulfill orders from the government,” Brandtzaeg added.

Raufoss believes that Norway will become a laughingstock in NATO if TikTok interferes with the production of weapons for allies and Ukraine. And the suspicions of the special services that the Chinese are using this application for espionage reinforce the absurdity of the situation.

As previously reported, in March, 2023 Ukraine and Norway signed an agreement of intent between the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency.

Also in March, Norway sent Leopard 2 tanks and combat engineering vehicles, along with related equipment, to Ukraine.