One of the main initiatives in the new long-term plan is for Norway to go from having one brigade to three. The army gets more soldiers and units, long-range precision fire, new helicopters and more air defense. – The demanding security political situation we find ourselves in shows that Norway needs a larger army with increased endurance, better combat power and better protection capabilities, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp).
Enlarge image Tanks from the Armored Battalion in Brigade Nord during an exercise last year. One of the main initiatives in the new long-term plan is for Norway to go from having one brigade to three. Photo: Sigrid Vormeland / The Armed Forces
The army must be able to plan, carry out and lead land operations in a national and allied framework. In the Nordic region, this will be carried out in close cooperation with Sweden and Finland in particular. In a joint operational and allied framework, the Army must contribute to ensuring freedom of action for its own land, sea and air forces while denying an adversary the same.
Brigade North is completed
The government is finalizing the ongoing investment in Brigade Nord with the acquisition of new tanks, additional CV90 tanks, support units and more funds for ammunition, training and exercises. A mechanized Brigade North fulfills one of NATO’s priority capability targets for Norway.
Brigade Nord will be completed as a heavy infantry brigade with four mechanized battalions and support units by 2032.
New Finnmark Brigade
The government will further develop and expand Finnmark land defense into a brigade, the Finnmark Brigade. Among other things, the brigade is supplied with one light infantry battalion, artillery, anti-aircraft capacity and necessary support. By developing a separate brigade in Finnmark, combat power, endurance and ability to cooperate with allies in our northernmost part of the country will be strengthened considerably.
New brigade in southern Norway
– There is a great need to increase the Army’s volume, endurance and flexibility. That is why the government will establish a new reservist-based brigade in southern Norway, the defense minister states.
The brigade will be developed gradually and eventually consist of around 6,000 reservists. Brigade Sør will contribute to securing allied reception areas and will be used as a mobile reaction force. The brigade is to be built up gradually, until 2036, and with a full operational capability in the longer term.
Long-range precision fire
– The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of the ability to influence the opponent at long distances. The Government will therefore add land-based long-range precision fire to the Army and establish a rocket artillery battalion in the Army. This strengthens the Armed Forces’ ability to fight targets at long distances, and contributes to a significant strengthening of the Army’s combat power, says Gram.
Air defense
An important investment in air defense is underway in the Army. In this plan, the government will also acquire additional NASAMS air defense systems for the Army, at the same time as combat air defense will be phased in. The NASAMS systems are to be organized in a separate air defense battalion, and are seen in the context of other investment in air defense in the new long-term plan.
Helicopter support
The army needs helicopters to move its own forces, deploy sensors and evacuate wounded soldiers. In order to provide helicopter support to the Army, new transport helicopters must be purchased. The acquisition is seen in connection with new helicopters for the Norwegian Armed Forces’ special forces.
– In order to retain helicopter capacity in support of the Army and the special forces until new helicopters are in place, a sufficient number of Bell 412s will be upgraded to ensure helicopter readiness, says Gram.
More robust infrastructure for communication in the north
The armed forces’ departments in the north are completely dependent on robust communication solutions to solve missions alone, and in close cooperation with allies. The government is betting on a robust communications infrastructure and more satellite communications so that its own and allied forces will have the best conditions for creating operational effectiveness. In addition to a strong investment in ICT and the space domain, the government will also strengthen Cyber Defense with more people to support new departments in the north.