The Norwegian Government Proposes Defense Budget Increase of NOK 4,2 Billion in 2026 With the proposed increase, Norway will spend NOK 112 billion on national defense in 2026. In Northern Norway, there are i.a. plans for investments in property, buildings, and facilities of about NOK 3,2 billion.
Norway's New High North Strategy: "A Serious Backdrop" Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): "We need to think differently about how we cooperate north in the Nordic region, but also circumpolar, to be safer," said MFA State Secretary Maria Varteressian in connection with the launch of a new High North strategy. A strategy with a serious security policy backdrop, says researcher Andreas Østhagen.
Professor: Norway’s New Preparedness Proposal for the High North Falls Short The Norwegian Government recently announced the development of a national preparedness action zone in the northernmost counties of Northern Norway. This is good in principle, but the government is late and is preparing a too small an investment, believes Professor Odd Jarl Borch.
Norway’s Arctic University Museum to Be Located in Tromsø City Centre "This is the starting point for a brand new museum building which will have great significance for Tromsø as a knowledge city," says Oddmund Hoel, Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education.
Norway's Government Cuts Culture as Part of the High North Strategy In the national budget for 2025, the Norwegian government proposes a cut of NOK 4 million in funds for cultural cooperation in the High North. "Defense policy is not the only thing that must be pursued in the North," replies major cultural institutions in Northern Norway.
The Norwegian Government Proposes a NOK 19 Billion Increase in Defense Spending With the proposed increase, the Norwegian defense budget for 2025 will total NOK 110 billion. A main priority is to make the current defense structure work with more ammunition, better preparedness, and more people. The proposed budget also includes increased investments in material, property and construction.
Norway’s Parliament Unanimous on Major Defense Pledge: Seeks Lower Tension in the High North In a historically broad defense settlement, the Norwegian parliament is clearly looking northward. "We must increase our ability to shape the development in the High North," states a united Standing Committee on Defense, looking to reduce the risk of misunderstandings, conflict and great power rivalry.
Norway's MFA on All the Nordics in NATO: "The Significance Hasn't Quite Hit Us Yet" Tromsø (High North News): With the new Nordic security policy community and close defense cooperation follows great opportunities for more interaction between Norway, Finland and Sweden also in other areas of society. "We have to learn how to take advantage of this," says Norwegian MFA Espen Barth Eide.
Norway's Response to the Gravity: Four Main Measures to Strengthen the Armed Forces The Norwegian government has proposed a new long-term plan on defense. At the top of the agenda is reinforcing the navy, land forces and air defense as well as situational awareness, particularly in the North. “A stronger national defense will contribute to deter those who might wish to threaten our sovereignty,’ says the PM.
"The Constant Calls for Port Bans Causes Great Uncertainty for Our Operations" Continued debate about port bans creates significant uncertainty for Kimek in Kirkenes, Northern Norway. "The challenge is that some parties cannot let this issue go. It leads to uncertainty for our operations, our employees, and for the community here," says CEO Greger Mannsverk.
The Norwegian Government Strengthens Preparedness of the Armed Forces The Norwegian Armed Forces are raising its level of preparedness from today, Tuesday. The military activity will be adjusted according to the serious security situation Europe finds itself in.
