The Norwegian government is putting EUR 10 billion extra into the country’s armed forces. The money is to go to six prioritised acquisitions, including reinforcement for the Norwegian navy. Although not clearly stated, the additional spending plan is based on a growing Russian threat and a withdrawing US involvement in Europe.
First and foremost, the Norwegian government wishes to reinforce the army strength in the far north. The Finnmark brigade is planned to get equipment, troops, ammunition and other necessities faster than currently planned. The brigade’s area of responsibility includes the Norwegian-Russian land border of almost 200 kilometres (122.8 miles).
The investment in the north will cost the army brigade in the south. Brigade Sør will not have its new equiopment, uniforms and other essentials from 2033, but from 2035. Brigade Nord will also not be ready until 2035.
New submarines
Secondly the Norwegian navy is to get new submarines and the two first new frigates. Norway has already ordered six Type 212CD submarines from German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to replace its Ula-class, but apparently the finances are not entirely secured yet.
New frigates
Thirdly, the new frigates. Up to six Type 26 frigates have been ordered with British BAE Systems, to replace the insufficient Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates of the Norwegian Navy. But also here the finances are not entirely secured yet.
Infrastructure
Fourthly, Norway wants to upgrade its critical logistic infrastructure like harbours to be better able to accept arrival of allied reinforcement in case of an armed conflict. However, the government is no longer planning to buy back the submarine cave base Olavsvern it sold in 2013 and could protect Norwegian and allied submarines in an armed conflict.
Military industrial production
Fifthly, the government in Oslo wishes to increase Norwegian and European military industries’ production capacity.
EW, SHORAD, Anti-drone
And sixthly, Norway wants to beef up its capacity in electronic warfare (EW), short-range air defence (SHORAD), anti-drone defence and the capability to strengthen the nation’s capabilities to operate autonomously if allied help is delayed or will not arrive.
New missiles F-35s
Not included as a priority, but announced this week as well are new missiles for the 52 operational Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II combat jets of the Royal Norwegian Air Force. The Northrop Grumman AGM-88G AARGM-ER should give the jets an advanced capacity to strike enemy anti-air radar and anti-air defences quicker and better than before. AARGM-ER is the abbreviation for Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range, and is a supersonic missile.
The AGM-88G range of over 300 kilometres (150 to 160 miles) and flies at speeds up to Mach 4 — which is almost 5,000 km/h or more than 3,000 mi/h. It can be carried and fired from the internal weapons bay of the F-35, so the jet could keep its stealthy futuristics while attacking enemy positions. | © 2026 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Photo: NATO’s Mine Countermeasures Group 1 near Geiranger in Norway a few days ahead of Cold Response 2022 (Photo by Forsvaret)