IRIA News

Norway has announced a significant boost in its military budget over the next 12 years, amounting to $150 billion, until 2036. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store unveiled the country’s “historic” defense plan that prioritizes investment in new frigates and submarines to adapt to threats from neighboring Russia.

Norway, a NATO member bordering Russia, plans to almost double its defense spending over the next decade to counter Russian maritime influence in the High North and Atlantic Ocean. The energy-rich Nordic country will boost spending on its military by 600 billion kroner ($56 billion) by 2036, the Labor-led minority government said.

“This plan represents a historic boost in defense spending, and involves a significant strengthening of all branches of the Armed Forces,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was quoted as saying in a Norwegian government statement. “The Norwegian government proposes to spend a total of NOK 1.6 trillion ($150 billion) on Norway’s defense over the next twelve years, until 2036,” noted the statement. “By then, the defense budget will be almost twice as large as it is today, measured in real value.”

The projected annual defense expenditure for Norway will be approximately 83% higher than the current amount by 2036, The conflict in Ukraine has substantially influenced Norway’s discourse on military expenditure, prompting discussions on strategies to protect against potential Russian aggression. The Nordic countries share a substantially large Arctic border with Russia.

At a strategic level, the long-term strategic plans say that “maintaining situational awareness in the High North and the North Atlantic is paramount” because of Norway’s closeness to Russia’s nuclear submarine fleet. It further adds, “The rise of China is asserting pressure on the prevailing world order and an assertive Russia is challenging the Euro-Atlantic security architecture. This recognition is an important premise for the choices made in this plan.”

Priority areas for Norwegian government

The Norwegian government will prioritize the following main areas:

• Improve current defense structure by addressing critical deficiencies, increasing stocks of munitions, maintaining infrastructure, expanding allied reinforcement capacity, and hiring more personnel.
• Invest in Armed Forces personnel with plans for 4,600 more conscripts, 13,700 reservists, 4,600 additional employees, and a focus on competency enhancement by 2036.
• Implement a robust maritime package including the acquisition of five new frigates, at least five submarines, and a standardized vessel class comprising 10 large and 18 smaller vessels.
• Strengthen air defense capabilities through procurement of long-range systems against short-range ballistic missiles, doubling of NASAMS air defense systems, and upgrades to counter drones and missiles.
• Develop Army with expansion to three brigades (Finnmark, Troms, and Brigade South) and investments in long-range precision firepower, combat vehicles, air defense, helicopters, and enhancement of special forces. Home Guard to increase to 45,000 soldiers.
• Enhance situational awareness through increased surveillance, presence, and control in surrounding areas utilizing new vessels, and expanded satellite, and drone capabilities.

Norway’s naval modernization

The modernization and upgradation of Norwegian naval forces is a stand-out feature in Oslo’s long-term military strategy. “Norway is a maritime nation with a strong maritime legacy. The Government commits to strengthening the Navy, with new frigates, submarines, and other vessels. The plan also involves a robust air defense package, including Norway’s first long-range air defense system,” Støre said.

The focus on maritime modernization primarily revolves around the creation of a new naval surface fleet, highlighted by the acquisition of no fewer than five new frigates, complemented by anti-submarine helicopters. Additionally, Norway intends to enhance its subsurface fleet by acquiring a minimum of five new submarines.

According to some reports, Norway plans to procure an additional Type 212CD submarine, adding to the four German-designed submarines already on order. These vessels are part of a collaborative German-Norwegian program, in partnership with shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Construction of the first Norwegian submarine commenced at the company’s Kiel yard in September of the previous year.

Regarding both frigates and submarines, the proposed fleet size of five falls short of the six recommended by Norway’s Chief of Defense, Gen. Eirik Kristoffersen, in a “Military Advice” report released last year. Nevertheless, the plan remains in strong alignment with his advocacy for addressing structural weaknesses within the armed forces, enhancing maritime surface capabilities, bolstering air defense capabilities, and advancing long-range precision fires.

Norway also plans to acquire American-made Seahawks helicopters to replace the aging fleet of NH90 helicopters, which have primarily been used by the Coast Guard. Although the MH-60R Seahawk is considered a strong contender, there is no official confirmation in either the official documents or during the press conference regarding its selection.

Earlier this year, Norway unveiled intentions to increase defense spending in 2024 to reach 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP), thereby joining the ranks of NATO member nations officially endorsing the target set by the military alliance. Oslo had indicated it would achieve the 2% target by 2026. According to NATO, Norway allocated 1.57% of its GDP to defense in 2022.