Norway Explores Strategic Partnership With France, the UK, Germany, and the US on Frigates Norway is to acquire new frigates in a strategic partnership with a close ally possessing coinciding strategic interests and an eye for the High North. France, the UK, Germany, and the US have now been selected as possible partner countries, says the Norwegian MoD.
Nordic Cooperation in the North: Norwegian-Finnish-Swedish Summit to Be Held in Bodø Next week, Norway's PM Jonas Gahr Støre will welcome Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Sweden's PM Ulf Kristersson to Bodø, Northern Norway. The three will discuss the opportunities for deeper civilian and military collaboration on the Cap of the North.
Proposes a NOK 13 Billion Increase of the Defense Budget With the proposed increase of the revised Norwegian national budget, the defense budget will go from NOK 91 billion to NOK 104 billion a year. Several of the initiatives drafted in the long-term defense plan could now start earlier, says MoD Bjørn Arild Gram (Centre).
Norwegian MoD Stresses Importance of Enough People in Northern Norway Bodø (High North News): The Norwegian government wants to strengthen defense in the far north and establish the Finnmark Brigade. According to the MoD, securing settlement in this region is high on the agenda. "If things get really serious, we are dependent on civilian society and the function of total defense," he says.
