– This strengthens the Armed Forces’ ability to understand and handle situations in the region, while at the same time contributing to even closer cooperation with our allies in NATO. This is what Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) says, who on Monday was at the Defense Satellite Station Eggemoen in Hønefoss to mark what is described as the largest space project in Norway ever. This summer, two Norwegian satellites were launched from the USA. The project cost around 450 million US dollars, roughly just under 5 billion Norwegian kroner. On Monday, the satellites were put into use, which means that the Norwegian Armed Forces can now communicate better and operate more efficiently in the northern regions. – What significance does this have for Norway? – It is of great importance for the Armed Forces. Now our capacities can communicate with fast broadband in a way we have not done before. This strengthens Norway’s defense capability in the north and contributes to an increased presence and national control in our areas, answers Gram. Broadband secures Norway Together with project manager Kjell Ove Skare from Space Norway and Chief of Cyber Defense, Halvor Johansen, they marked the activation of the satellite-based broadband with a first video call over the new network on Monday. The call went to the coast guard ship KV Bjørnøya, which is located in the northern regions. Satellite communication Launch: The Norwegian satellites that provide broadband coverage in the north were launched on 12 August 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Norwegian ownership: The satellites are owned and operated by Space Norway, which also leads the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) project. Public-private collaboration: ASBM is the result of a unique collaboration between public and private actors. The contributors include the Norwegian and US Armed Forces, the satellite operator Viasat and the European Commission. A Norwegian breakthrough in space travel: The satellites operate in highly elliptical orbits, which means that they spend most of their time over the northern regions, which ensures stable coverage in the Arctic, where geostationary satellites have a limited range and do not function optimally. Advanced functions: The satellites have several payloads that enable military communications, commercial broadband services and measurements of the radiation environment in space. The latter is important for the development of future satellite projects. Norwegian-developed technology in space: One of the instruments on the satellites, developed by the Norwegian company Integrated Detector Electronics AS, measures radiation levels in space. This contributes to the development of the Galileo system, which ensures precise navigation services worldwide. Long life: The satellites are designed to deliver broadband services for up to 15 years and support both civilian and military users. – We are both proud and happy to hand over perfectly functioning payloads with antennas and associated ground system to the Norwegian Armed Forces, says Kjell-Over Skare, program director at Space Norway. He proudly added that this is Norway’s largest space program to date. – No other country has such a solution as the one the Norwegian Armed Forces have now received. Chief of Cyber Defence, Halvor Johansen, and Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram, cut the cord to mark that the satellites have been put into use. Photo: Christine Breivik Øen / news The new broadband capacity in the Arctic marks an important milestone for Norway’s defense capability. According to the Minister of Defence, Norway thus has full control over strategically important communication services in an area that until now has lacked broadband. The two satellites measure 3x3x4 meters and have a wingspan of 27 meters. Photo: Space Norway – This helps to keep Norway safe, Gram states. With the handover, the Norwegian Armed Forces are ensured broadband coverage throughout the Arctic, and thus control over important communication services in large areas that have until now been without coverage. The northern areas have been referred to by several governments as “Norway’s most important area of foreign policy interest”. Chief of Cyber Defense, Brigadier Halvor Johansen, says this about broadband in the Arctic: – It enables us to exercise effective command and control in all types of operations right up to the North Pole. This is an important milestone for Norway’s defense capability. We are grateful for the very good cooperation with the other actors, which has resulted in us now being able to strengthen the Norwegian Armed Forces’ operational capabilities in the northern regions and the Arctic. Published 16.12.2024, at 14.18
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