Norway has met the NATO goal of spending 2% of its GDP on defense two years early. Norwegian Soldiers, pictured above in a 2022 NATO exercise, will be better equipped and housed under a proposed new defense plan. AFP/GETTY IMAGES
THE WATCH STAFF
Echoing similar warnings from neighboring Nordic leaders, Norway’s prime minister indicated in March 2024 that his country needs to increase its defense budget to meet the NATO goal of 2% of a member’s GDP two years earlier than previously planned. Russian actions, most notably its invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, prompted the Norwegian reassessment of its defense spending. The needs for Norway at home make “it necessary to now strengthen our armed forces,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, according to the Barents Observer, a Norwegian newspaper.
Støre was explicit about the Russian threat after meeting with leaders of Norwegian political parties as his government readies defense plans to be presented in early April 2024. “The security situation is serious. We have to live with a more dangerous and unpredictable Russia, probably for a long time. … Many countries around us invest in bigger and stronger defence forces. So are we. We will take responsibility for our own security and contribute to European security,” Støre said in a March 14, 2024, statement from his office.
In recent weeks, leaders in Finland and Sweden have made similar comments as they prepare their citizens for a future with national defense holding a larger profile in their daily lives. Norway, a founding NATO member, has pursued closer defense postures with both countries as they integrate into NATO’s defense strategy.
Norway’s current defense budget already reflects the country’s priorities as it prepares for an increased role in Arctic and NATO defense as it increased the defense budget to roughly $9 billion, nearly a 15% increase from the previous year.
“This defence budget will contribute to safeguard Norway at a time of international turmoil. We must increase our defence capabilities here and now and lay the ground for further expansion in the future. In 2024 the main priorities are increasing the number of personnel, increased stockpiling, strengthening of the Home Guard, increased ability to receive Allied reinforcements and improved situational awareness in the North,” stated a news release from the Norwegian government when the 2024 budget was approved last year. The current budget contained funding for 200 more personnel in the armed forces, 100 more cadets in military schools and improved working and living conditions, according to the Norwegian government’s budget.
Norway had planned to reach the NATO 2% defense spending target by 2026. Støre said the additional spending sent a “a powerful signal from Norway” in the run-up to the NATO summit in mid-July that it will reach the spending goal in line with many other allies, according to Reuters, an international news agency.
“The Government has introduced a number of measures to get more effect from existing capabilities. We have invested in people and competence, upgraded infrastructure, and increased our defence spending every budget year. Soon we will present an ambitious long-term plan to Parliament for a bigger and better defence. We will continue to improve our capabilities and we will invest in new ones,” said Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram, according to a news release from the prime minister’s office.