Rising Norwegian Military Investments

Recently, The Norwegian Government has introduced a motion for a massive 600 billion NOK ($56 billion) increase in the nation’s defence spending for the next twelve years with their Long-Term Defence Plan (LTDP). This would nearly double Norway’s annual defence spending, should the Parliament vote to approve the plan. The historic spending increase is following a pattern of militarisation by many NATO members, with this year potentially being Norway’s first-time spending above the 2% NATO target. The LTDP investment is split into replenishing ammunition stockpiles, increasing the size of the Armed Forces, boosting air defence and ordering several new naval vessels. Finance Minister Vedum affirms that these investments do not come at the cost of cutting public services, but can instead benefit the public by producing more jobs and promoting further investments.

Naval developments constitute the bulk of these investments, with the government ordering five new frigates to replace existing aging frigates, with the potential to acquire an additional large warship in the future via strategic partnerships with NATO partners. Furthermore, the Navy will order an additional submarine to supplement four Type 212CD submarines previously ordered from Germany. 28 smaller vessels will also be ordered for the Navy and the Coast guard, who will receive 16 and 12 respectively for matters of inland coast defence.

The LTDP also outlines plans to replenish existing equipment, fuel and ammunition stocks, which alone are expected to cost NOK 70 billion. These stocks will be vital to support plans to expand the Army, as several new brigades and battalions are to be created. Brigade Nord will receive a fourth combat battalion, whilst the country also develops a standing brigade in the north of the country and a brigade consisting of reservists in the south. The Armed Forces will move to recruit an additional 4,600 employees over the next twelve years, with a further 4,600 being conscripted for training each year, with a plan to have 13,700 well trained reservists who could be called upon if necessary. This will grow the Home Guard to 45,000 soldiers. Norway will also spend NOK 90 billion on air defence as a part of this plan, with the intension of more than doubling their current air defence capabilities, which are currently limited to the Ørland and Evenes areas. Mobile air defence batteries have been prioritised, with four additional NASAMS being ordered. The Army will also benefit from receiving a battalion equipped with rocket artillery, boasting a far greater range than existing artillery systems, as well as new helicopters.

The LTDP, likely heavily influenced by the Ukraine War, also works to reverse any plans to close earmarked military bases. Instead, each base will be kept open and developed to accommodate the increased equipment and personnel requirements. New soldiers and officers can also expect increased education as a result. International cooperation with NATO partners USA and UK has also resulted in plans for the development and creation of new and existing bases across the country, primarily in the north – presumably due to the proximity to the Arctic and Russia. The UK had announced in March that they will open a new military base, dubbed Camp Viking, approximately 65 kilometres south of Tromso. This camp is expected to operate for 10 years, with the function of training elite British commandos in the extreme cold. Norway funds the camp for its NATO allies to use, with a statement suggesting that the facility also bolsters security in the region as it can respond rapidly to any threats – if necessary.

In February, Andøya Air Station was announced as one of several new Norwegian-American military bases in the North of Norway as part of the Supplementary Defence Cooperation Agreement (SDCA) between the two countries, which is now under consideration by the Norwegian Parliament. The base has been chosen to be developed into a hub for long-range drones (namely for the purposes of surveillance of the North Sea) and space operations, with new plans to develop a temporary space port – the first of its kind outside the US. The location of this base is particularly suited for early-detection of missiles and for satellite communications.