Nordic Battle Group on stand-by

The six month stand-by period for the Nordic Battle Group (NBG) commences at the beginning of the year. The NBG will stand ready to participate in a potential EU-led crisis management operation.

– An improved European capacity for crisis management is an asset for the international community, and thus for Norway. The EU has demonstrated its capability for military crisis management in both Bosnia and Congo. A further development of this capacity through the battle group concept is therefore positive, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The NBG is a part of the European Rapid Reaction Forces (ERRF), which were declared operational a year ago. The battle group consists of a total of 1500 soldiers from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Ireland. The Norwegian contribution is approximately 150 soldiers, including primarily medical and logistical elements. The participation of Norwegian soldiers in an EU-led operation requires the approval of Norwegian authorities. 

The NBG is also a central part of Nordic security and defence cooperation, engaging the Norwegian armed forces in practical cooperation with our Nordic neighbours supplementing the already extensive cooperation in the NATO framework. Today there are no indications as to where the battle group might be deployed, but the EU has emphasised that battle groups should support the UN, particularly in Africa.

- This is in accordance with Norwegian priorities, as underlined in the Soria Moria declaration from the government. The government is actively working to strengthen the UN’s capacity to lead peace operations, and sees the EU battle groups as a useful supplement to UN-led forces, says Minister of Defence Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen.