Strengthening the Armed Forces? – folkebladet.no

Today, 02/04/24, one could hear about the “power investment” the government proposed for the Norwegian Armed Forces. From around 9,000 conscripts today to 13,000 in 2036. So in 12 years.

According to Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, this will cost around NOK three billion. At the same time, we know that the government has guaranteed support for Ukraine with NOK 15 billion every year for five years. Over half of this in pure military support. So about 40 billion. Then I think three billion to build up the defense of Norway is not enough!

Dear Defense Minister Gram and dear Finance Minister Vedum; I actually think you should give more priority to ourselves and less to others! But you can’t expect much more from a civil economist/border guard and an agronomist/MP. But it’s not their fault. The responsibility lies solely with the Prime Minister.

I wish we had a law or regulation in Norway that made it clear that a minister had to have experience and insight into the complex of issues she/he was elected to. Then I think we would have avoided a lot of noise between groups and not least frequent changes of ministers. I also wish that, in this case, the Armed Forces had been given a minister with insight into history.

The most important resource we have is the Home Guard. It has been proven time and time again throughout history, from ancient times to the present day, how important a popularly rooted defense is. That is what strengthens the defense capability, not how many F-35s or submarines Norway has.

it is the Home Guard which is the foundation for building the will to defend. It is Heimevernet that has local knowledge and experience from its areas. If Norway is to succeed in training an attack until NATO comes to our rescue, it is essential to have a strong home defence.

My proposal to border guard Gram and MP Vedum is that you restore HV 016, which was closed down in 2011. A department that was supposed to run anti-terror and prevent sabotage actions on Norwegian soil. A department consisting of highly motivated and, not least, locally known people. It is the Home Guard that is best suited as a first-line defense in the event of war or conflict. And this time I suggest that you also create HV016 departments in the north and not just north to Trondheim.

Everyone, both former defense ministers and defense chiefs, must come to their senses and acknowledge that the downsizing of the Armed Forces, and in particular the Home Guard, was a big mistake. Today’s world view shows with all clarity that the fall of the Soviet Union was a short-lived happiness.

A despotic Putin in Russia, a politically unstable USA, Orban in Hungary, Xi Jinping in China, Salman in Saudi Arabia and Erdogan in Turkey show how dangerous the world is. Then we need the Norwegian Armed Forces to be strengthened. Not via an escalation plan that stretches 12 years into the future, but as quickly as possible.

During the Cold War, Norway was able to mobilize 160,000 Home Guard soldiers and 16,000 conscripts. Today, the Home Guard consists of 40,500 soldiers and the rest of the Armed Forces of around 12,000 conscripts including officers and civilian employees.

Yes. I recognize that Ukraine’s struggle is also our struggle. This does not mean that we should not think more about ourselves in the future. Because it’s not just soldiers we need. We need most of it. More long-range artillery and anti-aircraft. More ammo for all weapons. More exercise. Better personal equipment. More research.

Yes, simply strengthening in all areas of the Armed Forces. And we need a prime minister who is primarily there for Norway. Not only for all other good purposes!

Would you like to contribute your opinion? Send debate entries by e-mail here