The defense is strengthened with NOK 7 billion in the revised national budget

The money will be used both to increase the operational capability of the Armed Forces, and to start work on the new long-term plan already this year.

Støre said this at a press conference on Thursday.

– We will increase the operational capability of the Armed Forces. NOK 2 billion goes to train, practice and fly more, and to deal with the extraordinary increase in costs, said Støre.

The government presented the Norwegian Armed Forces’ long-term plan in April, and this will be considered in the Storting.

– We reserve the right to do so, but it is important to get started, said Støre.

NATO’s two percent target will be achieved during 2024

The Norwegian defense budget increases from NOK 91 billion to NOK 104 billion already this year. This means that NATO’s two percent goal will be achieved during 2024.

Since 2014, all NATO member states have aimed to spend 2 percent of their country’s gross income on defense by 2024.

– By 2036, the Defense Budget will be 166 billion 2024 kroner, said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Ap) at a press conference on Thursday morning.

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It is an increase of 80 per cent from this year’s budget, which is therefore increased by almost 14 billion, including Ukraine aid.

– When we took over in autumn 2021, the defense budget was just under NOK 65 billion. Now it will be almost 105, says Finance Minister Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (Sp).

Accelerates procurement of air defenses

All domains must be strengthened, according to Støre.

– We cannot wait for the investments we are going to make now. 5 billion will be used to boost investments and measures in the long-term plan. Among other things, we shall speed up start-ups in construction, property and construction, and not least speed up the acquisition of air defences, said Støre.