Press Release

No.: 038/99
Date: 4 June 1999

White paper no 38 (1998-99):

On adapting the armed forces to the requirements of international operations

In White Paper No. 38 (1998-99) - “Adapting the Armed Forces for Participation in International Operations” - the Norwegian Government recommends the establishment of an “Armed Forces Task Force for International Operations”. The Task Force will consist of units from all branches of the Armed Forces and include a total number of more than 3500 personnel. It will be capable of fulfilling both NATO Article 5 and non-Article 5 missions and tasks (i.e., collective defence and peace support operations), with priority to the former in case of conflicting needs.

In addition to being integral to the national and the Alliance force structures, the Task Force may also contribute to international peace support operations under the auspices of other organisations, in particular the United Nations. The major elements of the Task Force will be answerable as well to the WEU, and may be assigned to future European force structures. The White Paper outlines in broad terms how to ensure that the various units of the Task Force will acquire sufficient sustainability, mobility, survivability and interoperability in order to fulfil NATO’s requirements as specified in the Defence Capabilities Initiative adopted at the NATO Summit in Washington, April 1999.

Since World War II, Norway has participated in a considerable number of international peace support operations (PSOs) under UN and, more recently, also NATO auspices, thus contributing actively to containing and resolving international conflicts and crises. More than 55 000 Norwegian military personnel have participated in such operations. At the same time, the Norwegian military effort has been focused on the need to ensure continued stability and a credible defence capability in the northernmost parts of Europe, by maintaining a substantial national defence within the framework of the Alliance. For obvious reasons, this latter task was the determining factor behind Norway’s force posture during the Cold War.

Today’s international political situation facilitates the establishment of one set of forces with the dual aim of taking part in international military operations as well as retaining a robust territorial defence. The latter is conceived as a precondition to the former. In this way, the main pillars of the Norwegian Armed Forces are strengthened, while simultaneously increasing Norway’s contribution to NATO as such. The Government recommends the “Armed Forces Task Force for International Operations” to be organised within the overall framework of Norway’s defence concept, including a nationally balanced defence capability, conscription, and the principles of “total defence”.

The Government recommends substantial changes regarding the number of personnel assigned to international crisis management, in particular in the Army. The main bulk of the privates will be personnel voluntarily signing up for a 27 months contract period after having served 9 out of 12 months of their conscription time. The 27 months will normally consist partly of engagement abroad, partly of a certain readiness at home, while at school or elsewhere in civilian life. All officers involved in the Task Force will have to sign full duty term contracts in advance. It is recommended that the Norwegian Army’s contribution to NATO’s IRF (Land) forces be increased by over 50%, to approximately 1400 personnel, organised in a batalion battlegroup equipped to handle the full range of national and international military operations. Within a maximum of 90 days, the battlegroup can be reinforced by even more robust units which will be necessary for the most demanding tasks. For the Navy and the Air Force, too, the establishment of the Task Force will entail a significant increase in the quantity of readily available units. In addition to these, specialised and high quality elements - including intelligence units and special forces - will be included. Some of these will be assigned to the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps.

Another feature of the White Paper is a set of proposals on how to align the requirements of rapid and adequate reaction with the Government’s clear ambition to be able to sustain substantial participation in on-going operations. To master this combination, several new policies are recommended, including a significant rationalisation of the force generation process and a significant increase in economic and non-economic benefits for the personnel involved.

Against the background of broad political support in Norway for active and substantial participation in international crisis management operations, the Norwegian government finds it necessary to address new ways of achieving this goal in the future. White Paper no 38 (1998-99) recommends how to do this within the framework of last year’s General Defence Review, within a reasonable timeframe, and without unduly reducing the scope for overall future structural changes of the Armed Forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces are facing major challenges in the years to come - the establishment of the recommended Task Force, however, should not await the next General Defence Review due in 2001.