Economy and business, News | Waiting in suspense: Fears major cuts in the Navy

On Friday 5 April, the government will present its long-term plan for the Armed Forces.

Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen recommends removing coastal hunters, minesweepers and three vessel classes if he does not get a significant budget increase.

The chief of defense wants NOK 80 billion extra, which will, among other things, finance new frigates, more air defenses and more personnel, writes the Defense Forum.

Erna: – Probably increased activity

Former Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H) is one of two Hordaland representatives on the Storting’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

When asked by BA about how much Norway should invest in the Navy in the future, she answers this:

– There is nothing to indicate a reduction in activity in the Navy. On the contrary, there is likely to be increased activity both in Bergen and elsewhere. In a Nordic defense perspective in NATO, Norway, with its long coastline, has a particular responsibility to ensure a good and strong naval defence, says Solberg to BA.

She points out, among other things, that Norway has four new submarines under construction that were ordered in 2017.

– There is an option to order two more, and I expect that at least one more will be ordered by now. It must have a high priority. In addition, new frigates and other surface vessels must be purchased. Over the next twelve years, the navy will acquire new, or start the renewal of, almost all of its vessel groups, says the Conservative leader from Bergen.

also read

Neighbors are bothered by noise: That’s how much noise the military helicopters make

This can be cut

As far as the Norwegian Navy is concerned, the Chief of Defense recommends that a core around frigates and submarines be continued.

The logistics vessel KNM Maud and the Coast Guard will continue their work as today.

The following may be cut or phased out earlier than planned:

Minesweeper Command.
Coast Guard Command.
The minesweeper squadron with the Alta and Oksøy classes.
The corvette squadron with Skjold-class vessels.
Navy sanitation.
Navy Logistics Command and the Reine class.
The frigates will have a reduced defense capability compared to today.

In sum, this will result in “significantly lower impact”, believes the defense chief.

– The Norwegian Defense Forces will not be able to meet an ambition for sea control and must focus on denial, writes Eirik Kristoffersen in his

The professional military council is a collection of recommendations to the government from the top management of the Norwegian Armed Forces.

– The long-term plan for the Armed Forces can have major consequences for the important knowledge and research environments, preparedness and the general labor market in the Bergen region, says Storting politician Dag-Inge Ulstein (KrF) to BA.

This is the Haakonsvern military station

Haakonsvern is the Norwegian Navy’s main base and one of Northern Europe’s largest maritime military bases.
At most, 3,500 officers, civilians and conscripts have had their daily work here.
Located at Mathopen in Bergen.
Inaugurated in 1963.

Will strengthen air defense at Haakonsvern

The new long-term plan will apply from 2025 to 2028. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) has previously announced that it will secure the largest allocations to the Armed Forces since the Second World War.

The Defense Commission’s public report (NOU 2023:14) points to the strengthening of air defences, including over the main Haakonsvern maritime base. Such a solution would include reinforced base defense in the form of close-in protection, area air defense and long-range air defense.

It is also recommended that the Norwegian Armed Forces have plans to defend Norwegian fighter aircraft bases, central ports for allied reception, the country’s highest authorities in Oslo and large population centers against air threats.

The estimated cost of these measures is approximately NOK 20 billion, with operating costs of just under NOK one billion.

also read