Norway's Prime Minister on Northern Norwegian Preparedness: "Just Buy Mittens"

 Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and Donald Trump's constant threats against other countries' sovereignty and NATO have led to a new world order characterized by uncertainty and unrest.

From a political standpoint, the message is that Norway is currently in the most serious security policy situation since World War II.

At the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø, Northern Norway, the message from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr (Labor) Støre is still that Norway is not facing any immediate danger of attack.

The population must nevertheless be better prepared for crises and, in the worst case, war.

1000 years of peace

Total defense includes both military defense and civil preparedness in Norway. This entails cooperation and mutual support between the Armed Forces and the civilian society in serious crises and war. The goal is to prevent, plan for, and manage serious incidents.

This was also emphasized by the prime minister in his speech to international participants at the conference.

He talked about the 1000-year peace with Russia, geographical location (we know where we live and who our neighbor is), and strengthening the Armed Forces.

"We must get back to where we were during the Cold War, in terms of defense," says Støre.

"A country that reestablishes the Leningrad Military District is obviously a country we need to keep an eye on. Russia and Norway share an almost 200-kilometer-long border. Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer-long border. So any government with Russia as a neighbor must make some resolute decisions."

Increase resilience

That's where total defense and total preparedness come in: the population must take responsibility in case of crises and war.

Last year, Norway launched for the first time a national security strategy in three parts:

Quickly strengthen defense capability, make society more resilient, and enhance Norway's economic security.

"All municipalities, businesses, and families must ask themselves, what do I have in the kitchen if things suddenly stop working for a few days?" says the prime minister.

"Everyone in Norway must take responsibility and consider what preparedness means for their family where they live and work," urges Støre.

Mittens as preparedness

Last year, the government also released a new Arctic strategy titled Norway in the North. The strategy clearly states that the High North is Norway's most important strategic focus area, where foreign, security and domestic policy intersect every single day.

Still, the government believes there is no need for specific preparedness measures for the Norwegian Arctic.

How does the government intend to strengthen total preparedness in the North, specifically, beyond our stockpiling water and food?

Arne O. Holm believes:

A creeping feeling of being reduced to pawns in a game between superpowers

"The most important defense strengthening in Norway takes place in the North, as it has been in recent years. It is in the North that we build most of our capacities, both in terms of command structure and exercises, and it is in the North that we show that our defense forces, not least, are linked to the sea areas," says Støre, illustrating at the same time that the need for preparedness actually looks a little different from the top of the globe.

The prime minister continues to reiterate that all municipalities must think through the security challenge Norway faces.

"It is not a purely military security assessment. There are many other factors, such as hybrid threats, meaning that things that can be put out of function, and which we must be aware of. And in that regard, we see no distinction between what must be done in Northern, Central, or Southern Norway," replies Jonas Gahr Støre.

But there are big differences between Northern and Southern Norway, such as temperature, greater distances, infrastructure rendered inoperable, and no investment in railways?

"Yes, well, I recommend mittens," Støre replies dryly to High North News.

Whether or not the government will provide these preparedness mittens is not clear.

Tough priorities

Norway is upgrading its defense with NOK 600 billion. What is that on the expense of?

"I think there is broad agreement that we need to spend more on defense going forward. We have the long-term plan on defense, and it must now be adjusted because changes are underway," says Støre.

He says it is easy to want something, but challenging to prioritize.

"Norway is in the same situation as other countries, which must invest more in defense. There will be less funds for other things. This means that all other areas must be reviewed in terms of priorities for a responsible economic policy. But that's how it goes now that we have to prioritize defense. Remember that we are getting back to the level we were at many years ago. After having built down a lot, we now have to build more up, and we must take responsibility for that together."

Støre says the government has emphasized what they call the northern Nordic region after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and that the defense plan for the next ten years is already being adjusted.

"We will return to the parliament in a few weeks with a kind of adjustment of the defense plan, where our focus must be on the next five years instead of until 2036. It is essentially about taking our part in a broader European responsibility for our own security, which for us will mean investing significantly in our maritime capabilities to ensure presence across vast ocean areas. And we must strengthen and recruit all branches of the defense to adapt," says the prime minister before he revives an expression that died along with peace in Europe four years ago.

"Our mantra is still to maintain low tension in the North, and we believe that maintaining low tension is a common interest we generally have among the Arctic states. But we can never exclude this geographically."