The Prime Minister's introductory remarks at the press conference to present the Long-term Defence Plan

Translated from Norwegian (i.e. the Norwegian text as delivered at the press conference)

Welcome to the Coast Guard vessel KV Bjørnøya. Our thanks to the captain and crew for hosting us for the launch of the new Long-term Defence Plan.

The Government’s new long-term plan represents a historic strengthening of the Norwegian Armed Forces. This plan is being presented at a time when the international landscape has become more unstable and unsettling.

The security situation in our part of the world has deteriorated and shows no signs of improving. At the same time, steps must be taken to address shortcomings and reduce vulnerabilities in our national Armed Forces.  

We must ensure that our national defence is equal to the challenges of our time. We are therefore proposing an increase in defence spending of NOK 600 billion over a period of 12 years, until 2036.   

Under this plan, Norway’s defence budget will almost double in size in real terms by the end of the period.   

This represents a historic boost for the Armed Forces. All branches will be strengthened.

The Government’s plan involves a significant increase in Norway’s maritime capabilities. The Norwegian Navy must be able to maintain a presence in our sea areas, prevent conflicts, and preserve Norwegian influence and room for manoeuvre. In terms of money, the maritime package is the largest investment in the long-term plan, covering a minimum of five new frigates with anti-submarine helicopters, up to 10 large and 18 smaller standardised vessels, and at least five submarines.

Norway’s ground forces will also be strengthened. We will expand the Norwegian Army from one to three brigades ­– one in Finnmark, one in Troms, and a new Brigade South. The Army will get more combat vehicles, air defence weapons and helicopters.

The Home Guard will be increased to 45 000 soldiers who will be better equipped and will participate more frequently in exercises and training activities.

The new Long-term Defence Plan also includes substantial investment to protect against aerial threats. The Government will double the existing NASAMS air defence capacity and initiate the procurement of Norway’s first long-range air defence system.    

And allow me to add: all crucial joint capabilities – such as intelligence, surveillance and cyberthreat management – will be enhanced as well.

 

Norway poses no threat to anyone, and neither does NATO.

But we must be able to defend ourselves in the event of a crisis or war. A stronger national defence will have a deterrence effect on anyone who might seek to threaten our security or that of our allies.

Today, I would like to highlight five reasons why we are proposing this significant increase in Norwegian defence spending.

First, Russia. It has become quite clear that we will have to contend with a more dangerous and unpredictable neighbour for many years to come. We cannot change our geography, our place on the map. But the best way to enhance our security is by investing more in our defence. That is precisely what we are doing.

Second, the Arctic. The Arctic is Norway’s most important area of strategic interest and is of increasing geopolitical and military significance not only to us but also to many other countries. Our Armed Forces must be equipped to be there to prevent instability, maintain situational awareness and shape developments.  

Third, NATO. Yesterday we celebrated both NATO’s 75^th anniversary and Finland’s first anniversary as a NATO member. Norway has been in NATO, the strongest military and political alliance in history, from the start. This has given us peace and a secure foundation. NATO is now being adapted to a new era, and our insurance premium is going up. The new generation of defence plans brings new demands, including for Norway. The deterrence and defence plans adopted at last year’s NATO Summit in Vilnius have helped to shape the long-term plan we are presenting here today. We will do what is demanded of us.    

Fourth, the Nordic region itself. The Nordic countries are now united within NATO. This momentous development took place as we were working on this plan. For the Alliance, for the region, and for Norway, the result is greater security. At the same time, it increases our obligations to our close Allied neighbours. We have more countries to defend, but at the same time, more countries are willing to come to our defence as well.     

And fifth, the many complex threats we are facing. Norway has one of the most open economies in the world. We are also a major energy nation and a fully digitalised society. In today’s world, maintaining our defence, security and preparedness requires us to confront a broad array of military and civilian threats to Norwegian interests. This long-term plan addresses this set of challenges, too.   

 

Safeguarding Norway’s security and supporting Ukraine have been priorities of this Government since it took office in the autumn of 2021. With this long-term plan, we are significantly stepping up our investment in our own defence.

In the years ahead, we must, we can, and we will devote more of our country’s resources to defence, security and preparedness, including within the civilian sector. This is something we can and will achieve. Our defence sector is full of smart, highly competent people. Our Armed Forces have retained a wide range of capabilities in the form of ground, sea and air forces. We have a modern national defence that we can develop even further.  

We have also adopted a total defence concept that includes effective civilian preparedness. Ordinary people across Norway’s municipalities, companies and organisations know what is required of them in peacetime as well as what to do in times of crisis.

Later this year, the Government will present a white paper on total preparedness which, together with this long-term plan, will put us on a trajectory towards a more secure Norway.

So we have a good starting point for what we are trying to achieve – and these efforts are already under way, I should add – based on the priorities and investments identified. Let there be no doubt. Norway’s national defence will now be strengthened, and the new plan heralds major changes and improvements.

The Government’s first priority in this Long-term Defence Plan is to strengthen our existing Armed Forces. This will begin immediately, and more funding will be allocated in the upcoming revised national budget. And let me also say that from the outset this Government has pointed out shortcomings in the existing long-term plan and worked to remedy them.

This means we will be increasing stores of ammunition, reserve parts, fuel and equipment and enhancing our overall preparedness. We will be improving buildings and other important infrastructure and installations. We will also increase our capacity to receive Allied reinforcements in Norway, and enable military forces from Allied countries to train here and conduct operations together with us.    

And not least, as in other parts of our society, we will hire more people. We need technicians, for example, for the new fighter jets and to operate air defence systems. We will expand and strengthen our Armed Forces by taking on 20 000 additional employees, conscripts and reservists. Mobilising personnel and boosting competence on this scale is a major undertaking that calls for steadfast commitment. We have set this process in motion.     

 

As I draw to a close, I would like to thank the parliamentary leaders and the Storting’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence. We have benefited from the close contact and meetings we have had over the past half-year. Our discussions have been positive and constructive, and have provided invaluable input to the Government.

We are now building on the dialogue we had earlier, which ended with the Storting unanimously endorsing the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine. I think what we have here is a good starting point for a Long-term Defence Plan that can gain broad-based support.

Securing cross-party support will increase the likelihood of the successful implementation of the plan over many years and multiple parliamentary periods. This is important to ensure predictability given the long-term nature of the plan. It is also essential given the scale of the investments involved, which will affect so much of Norwegian society for so many years to come.

Moreover, showing the world that we can stand together is valuable in itself, and I think this is vital in turbulent times such as these.

In closing, let me mention that the Government has had the benefit of important input from a variety of sources, in particular the Norwegian Defence Commission, where all political parties were represented, the Total Preparedness Commission, the Chief of Defence and the ongoing process to update NATO’s regional plans.

With that, I would like to give the floor to the Minister of Finance and then to the Minister of Defence.