Over the next decade, almost 160 billion kroner (€13,6 billion) will be invested in the country’s army. A major share of it will be spent in the northern parts of the country, and a key priority is the establishment of a new Finnmark Brigade. The local Sør-Varanger Garrison will be at the core of the new brigade. The number of servicemen is significantly increased and new armament and equipment acquired.
”Our plan is to develop a force that will be in Finnmark, in times of peace, crisis and war. It will be a standing army force,” Lervik told the local audience. […]
The inclusion of Finland in NATO is changing the security landscape in the North and a change in Norway’s so-called self-imposed restrictions on allied training in eastern Finnmark seems imminent. The self-imposed restrictions were originally aimed at reassuring the Soviet Union during the Cold War. But the times have changed.
”Considering the perspective of the North Calotte without borders, it appears rather irrational that Finland today moves allied activities towards the north, while Norway moves allied activities towards the west,” the Army chief explains.
The Norwegian Armed Forces have recommended that the self-imposed restrictions are removed. A decision is now on the table of the government in Oslo. Läs artikel