The Government has called a press conference on strengthening the Armed Forces. Pressure from NATO In October 2022, the government presented the state budget, in which they allocated NOK 75.8 billion to the Armed Forces. This is an increase of almost 10 per cent from the previous year, much due to the war in Ukraine. – The need for military support for Ukraine is urgent, extensive and time-critical. This is a budget in which we strengthen the Armed Forces and at the same time stand up for Ukraine, said Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram at the time. NATO has adopted a target that by 2024 the member countries must spend at least two percent of their gross national product (GDP) on defence. The USA, which itself contributes the majority of NATO’s membership contributions, has been a strong champion of the goal of increasing investment in the European countries. This year, Norway is set to spend 1.43 per cent of GDP on defence, which is NOK 32 billion away from the NATO target of spending two per cent, writes VG. In February, talks began between the defense ministers in Nato about new capacity targets within the alliance. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sharpened the need for more defense and deterrence, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In 2022, Norway used 1.57 per cent, falling below the target. This is shown in NATO’s annual report. During the year, Norway received record high revenues from the oil and gas industry, as well as the high electricity prices which made the defense sector smaller. Waiting for expert advice With today’s press conference, the government comes ahead of the advice they themselves have asked to get from both the Defense Commission and the Total Preparedness Commission. The Defense Commission’s mandate is to assess the various choices Norway can make to safeguard Norwegian security as best as possible. Former minister and state administrator Knut Storberget leads the work to assess the defense’s choices in a 10-20 year perspective. The 17 members are various subject experts, politicians and partners in working life. The commission was set down in December 2021 by then Minister of Defense Odd Roger Enoksen. The following month, the government set up the Total Preparedness Commission, which looks at the total preparedness resources in Norway. With former defense chief Harald Sunde at the helm, the commission will identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current preparedness system. The defense commission will already present its report on Wednesday 3 May.
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The government announces strengthening of the defense – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
