Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen (F 311) departs Kiel, Germany for the Baltic. Norway plans to increase the size of its fleet with five new frigates and five new submarines by 2036.<\/p>\n
The Norwegian government on Friday unveiled a proposal to increase defense spending by 600 billion kroner (\u20ac51 billion) in the next 12 years \u2014calling it \u00a0a “historic boost.”<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe need major investments in our forces, and 12 years will allow for a longer planning cycle and more predictability,\u201d Deputy Defense Minister Anne Marie Aanerud told POLITICO on Thursday on the sidelines of the Norwegian-American Defense Conference in Washington.<\/p>\n The country aims to spend 1.6 trillion kroner overall by 2036 \u2014 doubling the current defense budget \u2014 to boost its industrial base and grow its armed forces.<\/p>\n The navy will get the biggest chunk of the cash and can expect at least five new frigates with anti-submarine helicopters, at least five new submarines as well as 10 large and 18 smaller vessels.<\/p>\n Oslo will buy long-range air defense systems; double the number of National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), which will be upgraded to better protect against missiles and drones; and increase surveillance with more vessels, satellite and drones.<\/p>\n Norway plans to have about 4,600 more conscripts and 13,700 more reservists by 2036.<\/p>\n “We need a defense that is fit for purpose in the emerging security environment,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re. “This plan represents a historic boost in defense spending, and involves a significant strengthening of all branches of the armed forces.”<\/p>\n Norway, one of NATO\u2019s founding members, will hit the alliance\u2019s goal of\u00a0spending 2 percent of its GDP on defense<\/a>\u00a0this year for the first time. The Nordic country shares an Arctic border with Russia.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n