Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram
Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram. Foto: Marita I. Wangberg, MoD Norway
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Introduction

  • Thank you.
  • Ladies and gentlemen. Dear friends. Thank you so much for inviting me and for giving me the opportunity to speak here today.
  • I am grateful to the Atlantic Council, for our long-standing partnership. And thank you to Fred Kempe and your team, for arranging this conference.
  • Last week was April 9th, a dark day in the history of Norway. This was the day in 1940 that Nazi Germany invaded our country.
  • There is a saying in Norway that goes “never again April 9th”. It is a reminder to not let our guard down. Not to take freedom and security for granted.
  • However, as the decades passed, and the cold war ended, many seemed to forget the hard-earned lessons from that day. We did let our guard down. We didn’t keep our armed forces and our preparedness in the state it should be kept.
  • But another date, the 24th of February 2022, gave us a wakeup-call. Now we once again have to reinforce our military capabilities, strengthen the resilience of our societies and come together to protect the rules based order.  

 

  • These are critical and challenging times.
  • We meet today against a very serious backdrop.
  • Russia´s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the security situation in Europe and has global impacts.
  • We have seen death and destruction carried out by Russia’s brutal invasion, on a scale that we have not seen in Europe since World War II.
  • The Euro-Atlantic security architecture is challenged. We face an imperialistic Russia, who claim to have the right to have spheres of interest. And the rise of China is challenging the prevailing world order.
  • There are a number of flashpoints, from the Middle East, the Red Sea and in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Just in the last few days we have seen in the Middle East how volatile the situation is, with Iran´s attacks on Israel. Which Norway condemns. And which has the potential to escalate further an already tense and dangerous situation.
  • Internationally, there is increasing pressure on international law and democratic values.

 

  • We see a convergence of authoritarian states that have common goals: To undermine the liberal world order. To undermine our security interests. And to impose their vision of a new world order upon us.
  • This convergence is seen in many different conflicts. For example, Russia receives support for its invasion of Ukraine from Iran, North Korea, and China.
  • The world today is one where intense competition is the new normal. Where competition can and sometimes does escalate into military conflict. Where threats are more complex and come from a number of different sources.
  • The likelihood of conflict involving Norway or our Allies has increased.
  • We want the war in Ukraine to end as soon as possible. On Ukrainian terms. But I think we have to realise this: when the war in Ukraine ends, in one way or the other, the world will not be the same again.
  • As far as we can see, the international security situation will be more unstable and dangerous than it has been for a very long time.


The Situation in the High North

  • This is also felt in the Arctic. This region is an area where we see increased geopolitical attention. The region is strategically important to both Russia and to Allies. And increacingly so to China as well. 
  • As the Arctic becomes more accessible due to rising temperatures and melting ice, we should expect more civil and military activity in the region.

  • More activity in the Arctic also increases the risk of misunderstandings, accidents and unintended developments.
  • This must be managed in a calibrated way. National defence has a role. Through our armed forces, we provide for deterrence, re-assurance and stability.
  • I am often asked how the war in Ukraine is affecting the situation in the Arctic.
  • There are a few points to make on this.
  • Firstly, Russia has been talking more about nuclear weapons as it has suffered conventional losses in Ukraine. A lot of these capabilities are based in Arctic, on the Kola Peninsula.
  • Secondly, the role of the Russian Northern Fleet, has increased.
  • This is because the Russian Navy in the Black Seas is locked in. The Baltic Sea has become a challenging place to operate for Russia because it is surrounded by NATO countries, following Swedish and Finnish accession to NATO.
  • The only place from which Russia can project naval power in the Euro-Atlantic areas is from Kola. From and through the Arctic.
  • Therefore, we must – individually and as allies – pay more and not less attention to Arctic security. And let me add; I absolutely think it´s in Americas self interest that we together has the ability to monitor and follow the Russian activity in this region.
  • To meet the security challenges that we are facing, Norway is working along three main lines of effort.
  • Firstly, we are strengthening our own national defence.
  • Secondly, we are investing in NATO and our alliance relationships.
  • And thirdly, we support Ukraine in their defence against the brutal Russian invasion.
  • Let me start with the strengthening of our national defence.

Strengthening National Defence. Norwegian Long-Term Plan 2024

  • 10 days ago the government launched the Long-Term Plan for the Armed Forces. This is the government’s pledge to our people and to our allies that we will take our responsibility to strengthen both national defence, and the defence of the alliance.
  • In the High North and beyond.
  • Through the Norwegian Defence Pledge put forward to the parliament for the final decision, the Norwegian government has proposed an ambitious plan with a historic increase in our defence investments. The plan spans a 12-year period.
  • A 12-year period does not mean that we will increase defence spending sometimes in the future. We will make a significant increase this year and the next, and then we will continue to increase defence spending year by year.
  • Norway increases defence spending to meet the two percent target this year, as a start of the larger build-up of our armed forces.
  • The long-term plan proposal is to increase spending by close to 60 billion USD in total over the twelve years. For a US audience, this might not sound like much.
  • But let me assure you: this is a massive boost for Norway.
  • To put it in perspective: By 2036, the defence budget will be almost twice as large as it is today in real terms.

 

  • Given current projections, this puts us on the path to reaching 3% of GDP before 2036.
  • All services will be strengthened with more personnel and new capabilities. Let me give you an overview of our new plan:

  • Surveillance and Space
  • First, maintaining situational awareness in the High North and in the North Atlantic is paramount. Surveillance is a key priority, particularly in this area.
  • Our P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft will soon be fully operational.
  • Norway will invest in new strategic surveillance drones (High Altitude Long Endurance) for increased maritime surveillance, and also invest significantly in satellite systems.
  • I want to highlight increased investments in Space. This is particularly important for Arctic Security and Defence.
  • Space-based capabilities will become more important to maintain the freedom of action for Norway and NATO in the High North.

 

  • The Norwegian government aim to further develop Norway as a Space nation, not only for the civil society, but also for our military operations.
  • We plan to establish several constellations of small satellites in the coming years. We are ahead in the allied context in the development of military space operations.
  • We actually are about to have facilities that is quite unique in Europe when it comes to launch-pads and infrastructure for responsive space and satellite launches.
  • We are cooperating closely with the U.S. to share space situational awareness and information.

 

  • Maritime
  • Norway is a maritime nation. Our vast ocean area is seven times larger than the land area. Therefore the Navy will obviously be given high priority.
  • We will procure a minimum of 5 new frigates with anti-submarine warfare capacity. These will be procured, operated and maintained in a strategic cooperation with a close ally.
  • In addition, we will develop and procure up to 28 surface vessels for both our Coast Guard and Navy.
  • That means we will procure at a total of up to 33 new surface vessels.
  • And we are adding to our existing submarine order, and will now have at least 5 new submarines.

  • These are historic proportions for Norway. We take our maritime responsibilities seriously.

 

  • Air defence
  • In the air domain, we have received our new P-8 surveillance planes, and 40 of the 52 F-35s.
  • In the defence plan air defence will be a key priority. The number of NASAMS air defence systems will be doubled from 4 to 8 batteries, and we will for the first time procure a long-range air defence system to protect against short-range ballistic missiles.

 

  • Land force
  • We are also investing in a larger and more capable land force
  • For the Army this means expanding from one to three brigades.
  • This plan will complete Brigade North as a Heavy Infantry Brigade, which is a NATO capability target for the Norwegian defence.
  • The Army will receive long-range precision weapons, additional combat vehicles, air defence, and helicopters for both the Army and our special forces. New helicopters will also be purchased for our Coast Guard and our frigates. So in total, there is a significant helicopter focus in this plan.
  • Also the Home Guard will be strengthened.

 

  • My government has made it a top priority to invest in our people. Before 2036, the Government plans for:
    • A 50% increase in number of conscripts
    • A 28% increase of trained reservists and
    • A 22% increase in personnel belonging to other personnel categories
  • We need to make sure the military sector is an attractive place to work, and we aim to improve the conditions for our military employees to both recruit and keep our talented personnel.

 

  • Procurement and industrial production capacity
  • Finally, a few words on defence industrial production.
  • Norway is a key producer of crucial armaments products. Kongsberg produces NASAMS air defence, and has significantly increased their production capacity.  
  • NAMMO is one of the few major producers of artillery ammunition in Europe, and one of two producers of rocket motors for missiles, and Chemring Nobel a crucial producer of explosives.
  • These companies are very important for the continued support for Ukraine, and for the supply of Norway, United States and other allies.
  • The Norwegian government has placed big orders, given financial support and connected Norway with EU-initiatives to help these companies increase their production capacities significantly.
  • For instance, Nammo are in the process of opening a new production line for rocket motors in Norway. A fourth production line will be opened in Florida.

Investing in NATO and our alliance relationships

  • The second line of effort in our security policy is investing in NATO and in alliance relationships. The increase in national defence as I have described occurs in the framework of NATO. NATO capability targets are an important input to our new defence plan.
  • The strengthening of Norwegian defence capabilities also strengthens the overall NATO deterrence and defence posture.

  • It is a priority for us to improve interoperability in order to operate with allied forces, including in the High North.
  • The investments announced by the government enhances our ability to receive and support allied forces.

  • The Armed Forces must be able to integrate into allied efforts and contribute to defending Norway or Allies against hostile attacks and aggression.

  • This entails the ability to operate in high-intensity conflicts. The flexibility and robustness of the force structure is increased with more ammunition and improved funding of operations and maintenance as well.
  • The security and stability of the High North is still dependent upon NATO and the presence of our allies.

 

  • With Finland and Sweden joining NATO, a united Nordic region significantly increases alliance security. Not least from an Arctic security perspective.
  • The dynamics in the Arctic is changing as a result of Finland and Sweden´s NATO membership. Now seven of eight Arctic states are NATO Allies.
  • The High North becomes more closely connected to the Baltic Sea region as a result of the NATO enlargement.
  • Norway becomes more important as a host- and transit-nation for Allied forces, and will have a key role in defending our neighbours.

 

  • Exercise Nordic Response 2024 was the first exercise with Sweden and Finland as NATO-members. It demonstrated that NATO has the capability, resolve and strength to defend our territory in the Arctic.

 

  • The USA have a particular role in Hight North Security.
  • The US is our most valued, trusted and significant ally. Through the Defence Pledge we are committing to strengthening further our relationship.
  • We are investing more in our ability to support US presence in Norway. This includes investments in infrastructure.
  • I mentioned Space earlier. As an example, last week we concluded an agreement with the USA to jointly establish a facility to support space operations at Andøya Air Station.
  • For Norway it is important that our defence cooperation is based upon burden sharing and is of mutual benefit. This is a key principle in the Defence Pledge as well.
  • Some key examples are our coming investments in areas such as maritime surveillance, submarines, surface combatants, special operations forces capabilities.
  • These areas where we are truly integrated. And that serve U.S. as well as Norwegian and allied security interests. In the Arctic and beyond.

 

  • Through the Long Term Plan we pledge ourselves to increasing further our contributions to our joint security.
  • And let me add; we have had a close dialogue with the parliament on this plan. Several representatives are  here today, among them the defence- and foreign affairs committee leader Ine Eriksen Søreide, who has been facilitating this dialogue.
  • I really appreciate this, and I hope that we can have a broad consensus on the defence plan before summer.

Ukraine:

  • The third and final line of effort in Norwegian Security Policy is support to Ukraine. 
  • Ukraine is engaged in an existential fight. This is a fight not only about the territory of Ukraine, but our values and our freedom have also been attacked, and must be defended.
  • So, Ukraine’s fight is our fight. That is why Norway and the Norwegian people are so supportive of Ukraine. Along with close Allies and partners. 
  • Our Nansen support program for Ukraine has strong national support. All political parties, all 169 members of parliament are supporting this. The program is distributed over five years, with 1.5 billion dollars per year over at least 5 years. That means 7.5 billion USD in total, including civilian and military support.
  • Norway and the UK are heading the Maritime Capability Coalition to help Ukraine build a navy. This is where we have particularly relevant expertise.
  • In addition to this we are focusing our support efforts on Air Defence and F-16 support.
  • The war in Ukraine is at a critical stage. Swift and decisive western support is needed to repel Russian aggression. US plays an important leadership role, as Europe are stepping up and increasing our support steadily.

 

Concluding remarks:

  • Dear friends
  • Our common security must be defended on a daily basis. At home and abroad, in the Arctic and elsewhere.

  • We must prevent and deter. And we must have the ability to respond forcefully, to defend ourselves and our allies if deterrence fails.
  • Norway will take greater responsibility for our own and Allied security, also in the High North.
  • We will maintain situational awareness in the High North, and train and conduct exercises with our Allies in the region.
  • Norway will use significantly more of our country’s resources on defence, security, readiness and resilience.
  • We are set on a course that will improve our overall defence capabilities, as a nation, as an Arctic state, a Nordic region and as an Alliance.
  • I began my remarks by painting a dark picture of the challenges we face. We are at a historic juncture, where our will and resolve are being tested.
  • And let me be absolutely clear; No relationship is more important for us than that with the USA.
  • Many people to not know that the first US casualty during the Second World War happened in Norway. This was Captain Robert Losey, a defence attaché at the US embassy in Oslo.
  • He died on 21st April 1940 as a result of German aerial bombardment. Along with 8 Norwegian civilians.
  • This happened while Captain Losey was evacuating US staff from Norway after the 9th of April Nazi German invasion.

 

  • This story – and Captain Losey’s heroic sacrifice – is a sobering but also an inspiring reminder of our joint history. And of the values that bound us together then, and that binds us together today.
  • Our Defence Pledge is also about these values.
  • Our true power lies in our partnership, the alliance and our collective resolve.
  • Holding true to our values, and, holding true to one another. This is what we are committed to. 
  • Thank you so much for your attention.