Meeting the press about defense – NRK Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country

– With what we are announcing today, and earlier in April, Norway will reach the two percent goal in NATO from mid-2024, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Thursday meets sState Minister Støre, Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum and Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram the press.

Outside SMK, Støre announces that the government proposes to increase allocations to the Armed Forces by NOK 7 billion in the revised national budget.

– The investments we are making now are investments we must and can make, and should not wait, says Støre.

– Strengthen the foundation wall

Støre says they will make the investments already now, which apply to, among other things, the upgrading of buildings and facilities and the acquisition of air defences.

– This will help us use our equipment as far as possible, and the staff who are at work today.

– It is about more effectively handling complex threats in an open economy, where we must strengthen all domains to meet the challenges that lie ahead, says Støre.

Finance Minister Gram says the increase in the budget will, among other things, contribute to the training and reception of allied troops, as well as new equipment.

– We must strengthen the foundations of the defence. For example, the maintenance of homes and accommodation for personnel in the defense which is too poor today.

– Through this, we are laying the foundations for further growth in the Armed Forces in the years to come, says Gram.

Will increase by 80 percent

With that, the government will increase the defense budget from the adopted NOK 91 billion to NOK 104 billion.

Recently, the government has announced several strengthenings of the Norwegian defense capability. They propose to increase the defense budget by 600 billion over 12 years.

– Where we are going in 2036 is a defense budget that increases by just over 80 per cent, says Støre.

In 2036, the government therefore wants the defense budget to be NOK 166 billion.

– There is strong growth, but we have believed as a united government that this is a necessary investment to strengthen our freedom, says Finance Minister Vedum.

The government has already said that it will increase the number of conscripts from 9,000 to 13,600, establish two new brigades in the north and south, double the air force and give Norway several new frigates.

Norway also supports Ukraine with several billion for military purposes in 2024.