Everything is not as before along the Norwegian coast. War in Europe and sabotage against gas pipelines have led to the Norwegian Armed Forces raising the alert. – Of course, we have extra focus on things that take place that are abnormal. We investigate more thoroughly than before. That’s what Jørgen Varpe Wallem says. He is the ship’s commander on KV “Tor”. His ship is part of the Inner Coast Guard and patrols from Egersund to Stad. They sail from deep in the fjords and up to twelve nautical miles from land. Shipmaster on KV “Tor”, Jørgen Varpe Wallem. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news Although they operate as normal, it is with extra preparedness and vigilance. Activity along the coast and in Norwegian sea areas has increased. The navy actively patrols and monitors specific objects. – The war in Ukraine and the security policy situation we are in is serious, says Oliver Berdal. He is head of the Coast Guard and sits on the Norwegian Navy’s leadership. – Many actors work closely and well together to secure the Norwegian continental shelf in a good way. The North Sea is international waters. According to acting head of the Navy, Commander Pål Gudbrandsen, this means that a great many actors are involved. – It is because we are at an interface between state security and social security. Acting head of the navy, Commander Pål Gudbrandsen. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news Coordinates minute by minute According to Gudbrandsen, Nato has taken a very active role in the North Sea. NATO forces assist in patrolling the area. – In addition, several navies have made contact and offered to help maintain security on the shelf. The oil and gas industry, the police, the Norwegian Armed Forces and a number of other government actors work together. The navy patrols around the clock and has increased preparedness. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news The alert has been raised. Important objects are monitored. – That makes it more difficult for an actor who may have malicious intentions to carry them out, says Gudbrandsen. He points out that they monitor infrastructure both along land and out on the continental shelf. Berdal in the Coast Guard also points to cooperation with NATO. – There is very good cooperation with our allies in NATO, and we have continuous coordination with our allies from hour to hour, minute to minute. We also coordinate activities with our allies. Chief of the Coast Guard, Oliver Berdal. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news No direct threat Coast Guard Commander Berdal explains that they use what information and intelligence they have to build the best possible picture of the activity that is. The navy monitors, patrols, exercises and trains. – What is new is that we have a higher level of vigilance, says Pål Gudbrandsen, acting head of the Navy. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news – There are currently no indications that there is a direct, concrete threat to Norwegian oil and gas installations. – But that can change? – The situation can change. It is important that we are vigilant and follow closely. He does not want to go into exactly what they are looking for, or what equipment and methods they use. Gudbrandsen in the Navy will not tell in detail either. He points out that the Navy’s units are equipped to monitor what is happening in the air, on the surface and under water. – We are well placed to take in much of what is happening and act on some of it. Concretely, what the navy’s units are capable of and not when it comes to possible sabotage against infrastructure, he does not want to go into detail. – It is information that can be misused, says Gudbrandsen. The Navy and the Coast Guard have increased preparedness. Photo: Alrik Velsvik Impossible to be everywhere Norway’s coastline is very long. Without fjords and bays, the coastline amounts to 2,650 kilometres. If one includes fjords, bays and islands, the coastline is 102,936 kilometers long. In addition, there are the sea areas. Both Gudbrandsen and Berdal emphasize that it is impossible to be everywhere at all times. Where the vessels patrol is a priority. – We use them where we feel it is most important that they are, says Gudbrandsen. – The Norwegian Navy is one frigate in the red after the sinking of the KNM Helge Ingstad. How do you notice it? – It is clear that we would like to have five frigates. We use the vessels we have optimally, says Berdal. One of the Coast Guard’s ships. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news In the proposal for the state budget, the government proposes a defense budget of NOK 75.8 billion for 2023. This is an increase of NOK 6.8 billion compared to the balanced budget for 2022. Berdal believes that it is both right and important that the Norwegian Defense is significantly strengthened. – Norway is a small nation in terms of population, although we are a large nation in many other ways. Norway has a good defense. 24-hour standby Berdal emphasizes that he feels that all personnel are motivated and prepared to do their utmost. On board KV “Tor” most things have so far been as normal. They are on call 24 hours a day along the entire coast, all year round. – How is the atmosphere on board? – It is a bit like the population in Norway otherwise. They are a little unsure, they wonder a little about what is going on. We give them the information we can give. Until then, the atmosphere is essentially normal. The navy patrols around the clock and has increased preparedness. Photo: Lidvard Sandven / news
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This is how the Swedish Armed Forces guard critical infrastructure along the coast – news Vestland
