Defence Agency Opens Office in Northern Norway to Strengthen Arctic Preparedness

 The long-term plan for the Norwegian defense sector includes a significant development of the Armed Forces in Northern Norway, with planned investments totaling more than NOK 50 billion.

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency will now establish a new office in Alta, Finnmark, as part of the investments in the North.

"Northern Norwegian businesses hold significant expertise related to operating in the North, while many also find it challenging to connect with the defense sector. We want to contribute to strengthening cooperation on increased preparedness in the North," says Thomas Beck, Head of Land and Joint Capabilities at the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, in a press release.

Will utilize room for action

According to the plan, the office will be established in the fall. It will have one employee serving as a business liaison, with Troms and Finnmark as their area of responsibility.

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency is responsible for the sector’s investments in materiel, and must at the same time ensure that the Armed Forces have framework agreements available for operations in peace, crisis and war.

In recent years, the Norwegian Defence Estates Agency has been successful in using local actors for extensive investments in buildings and infrastructure in Northern Norway, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency writes.

Making it easier

The office points to room for improvement when it comes to engaging suppliers in the region in procurements of materiel and related services.

"We are now making it easier for the Armed Forces to make greater use of the full scope of local and regional suppliers, and create new opportunities for local businesses in the North," says Beck, and continues: 

"The new office will work systematically to establish good meeting places between the actors, and map out which of the Armed Forces' needs can be met by the regional industry and businesses."