The air defense battalion of the Swedish Armed Forces exercises at the Equinor facility on Tjeldbergodden, where nearly one million tonnes of methanol is produced each year with gas from the Norwegian Sea. The soldiers have taken the road and moved the air defense system 150 kilometers over to the neighboring county to practice with F35 fighter jets, Hercules planes and the Norwegian Armed Forces’ drone service. Earlier this year, they trained to protect Oslo. – It’s the first time we’ve practiced here in about ten years. Protecting critical civil infrastructure is something the air defense should be able to do, says battery commander Eirik Bjerkestrand. Battery commander Eirik Bjerkestrand in the Air Defense Battalion practices at Equinor Tjeldbergodden in Aure. In the air, you can see a Hercules plane that will simulate a target during the exercise. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Can only protect two bases But if a war should break out, they will probably have enough to protect the fighter aircraft base on Ørlandet, where they are stationed. That’s what Lars Peder Haga, associate professor at the Luftkrigskulen in the Swedish Armed Forces, says. Lars Peder Haga is a researcher and lecturer at the Air Force Academy. He was also involved in drafting the new doctrine for air operations in the Armed Forces. Photo: Luftkrigsskolen – We have long had an air defense capable of protecting two bases in Norway, Evenes and Ørlandet. We also have other areas in Norway that will be important in war. We will not be able to protect the capital, naval bases and other important areas. We are in a significantly weaker position than Ukraine was in 2022, says Haga. It recently became clear that the government will spend NOK 12.5 billion on strengthening air defense in Norway. It will be the largest single investment in air defense in 30 years – if the proposal makes it through the Storting. This will largely go towards replacing equipment that Norway has donated to Ukraine, as well as improving versions of the so-called NASAMS missiles. The air defense battalion practices loading a missile into the launch pad. Marius André Jenssen Stenberg These were highly desired by the Ukrainian president to, among other things, protect civil infrastructure. Haga still believes that there is a long way to go before Norwegian air defense is good enough. – It replaces what has been donated, there will be some new types of missiles with somewhat better performance than before. But in quantity and type there is no substantial change. It’s the same capacities we’ve had, says Haga. This is what the government wishes to order: Photo: Martin Mellquist / Martin Mellquist / Forsvaret Three different missiles for the NASAMS (air defense system) with shorter, medium and longer ranges. Eight launch units and four fire control centers for NASAMS. New missile for the combat anti-aircraft vehicles. Source: Regjeringen.no – Very expensive Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram agrees that a significant strengthening of the air defense is needed in the coming years. They met on Dagsnytt 18 earlier this week. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram from the Center Party. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB – What we presented is not a comprehensive answer to the air defense going forward. We will present a long-term plan next year where we will present further proposals to strengthen the air defence, says Gram. He says there will be many discussions about which area should be protected and how, but that it will not be cheap. – An integrated solution that many people want for the air defense is very expensive, and it will take time to build it up. It’s not just about buying material either, but we need buildings to house it and people to tend it. Now we are building it up systematically and taking important steps forward on it, says Gram. The launch team trains to load a missile during an exercise in Aure. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news World-class air defense The launch squad of the Air Defense Battalion practices all year long to load missiles onto the ramp as efficiently as they can. They think it is rewarding to see how important air defense has proven to be. – I think it is very exciting to work with. Especially when you see how well the system works down in Europe at the moment, it gives us a lot to be as good as possible, when you see how important it is for the war there, says deputy specialist Bertine Lade. Deputy specialist Bertine Lade works in the launch squad in the Air Defense Battalion at Ørlandet air station. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news The air defense system NASAMS that Norway uses is manufactured by Kongsberg and is considered to be world class. – It is if not the best medium-range air defense in the world, and they have really shown their quality in Ukraine. It is important that we develop it, and it gives us protection against most of the threats we have, says Chief of Defense Gram. The proposal on the investments in air defense is now being considered by the defense committee at the Storting, and they have until 11 December if they want to promote it to the rest of the parliament.
ttn-69
Norway will buy air defenses for 12.5 billion – just enough to defend two air bases, experts say
