The German military exercise “Heimdall” is currently being conducted at Andøya in Nordland. Here, both the German army, navy and air defense train in sharp exercises. In addition, Norwegian forces also participate in the exercise, and in total around 1,200 soldiers participate in the exercise. Three German frigates are participating in the exercise: Rhineland-Palatinate, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – Now the German navy is offering to let the ships remain in Norwegian waters to patrol Norwegian oil and gas installations. news receives information from the Ministry of Defence. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) visits one of the German frigates during the exercise in northern Norway on Wednesday. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) shakes hands with the German ambassador to Norway, Detlef Wächter. Photo: Lars-Bjørn Martinsen / news Vulnerable installations After the war between Ukraine and Russia broke out, oil and gas have become part of the conflict between the latter and the West. While Europe has tried to make itself independent of Russian gas as much as possible, the Russians in turn have cut off access to their gas. This has made Norway by far the largest supplier of natural gas to Europe. But it also makes Norwegian oil and gas installations a potential target for attack. This became especially relevant after the sabotage against the gas pipelines Nord Stream 1 and 2 in the Baltic Sea. After the sabotage, preparedness was stepped up on the Norwegian continental shelf. Former chief of defense Sverre Diesen believes that it is obvious that Norwegian oil installations will be conceivable objects of sabotage from a Russian point of view. Now the Norwegian defense is getting help from the German navy. Stabilizing the situation in the north Per Erik Solli is a defense analyst for the Norwegian Foreign Policy Institute. He believes that Germany’s presence on the Norwegian continental shelf certainly makes sense. – Yes, both for Norway and Germany. Europe is completely dependent on the functioning of the supply of gas to the UK and the European mainland. There will be serious consequences if this system is prevented. Per Erik Solli is a defense analyst for the Norwegian Institute of Foreign Policy Photo: Onar Digernes Aase / Defense – Could this lead to increased tension in the northern regions? – No, the opposite. It actually stabilizes the situation. Norway is too small and cannot alone create a balance of power against Russia, and at the same time take care of all the tasks in the north. A number of journalists from the Norwegian and international press have been invited to participate in the exercise. Solli believes this is to signal that Germany is an active partner for security cooperation in the north. – And hopefully deter those who have illegal intentions in the north, says Solli. Aid from several countries Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany announced that it was equipping its military for a total of 100 billion euros. It will make the Germans the largest military power in the EU, thus surpassing both Great Britain and France. From before, Britain assists with frigates in the North Sea to patrol Norwegian gas pipelines. And for the third year in a row, a British frigate and support ship have sailed together with the Norwegian frigate Thor Heyerdahl in the Barents Sea.
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Germany assists Norway with frigates to protect oil and gas installations – news Nordland
