Norway Establishes New Brigade in the North
Line-up at Porsangmoen camp during the ceremony for the establishment of the Finnmark Brigade. Finnmark, Northern Norway, shares a 198 km long border with Russia. (Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
The Finnmark Land Defense on NATO’s northern flank has now been developed into the Finnmark Brigade, Norway’s first new brigade since the Cold War. "The aim is to deter those who do not wish us well," says the Norwegian Minister of Defense.
"This is a milestone in the Army's history. We are establishing the first-ever brigade in Finnmark, and it is the first time we're establishing a brigade since 1982," says the Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars Lervik.
On Wednesday, the establishment of the Finnmark Brigade was seremoniously marked at Porsangmoen Camp.
Brigadier John Olav Fuglem took command of the new brigade, and Colonel Jørn Qviller, who have led the Finnmark Land Defense, stepped down.
"The Finnmark Brigade will entail a significant strengthening of the defense of Norway, in line with what a united parliament has decided," says Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik (Labor), and continues:
"We must live with a more dangerous and more unpredictable Russia. The establishment of the Finnmark Brigade is a necessary response to a more uncertain security policy situation in the world. The aim is to deter those who do not wish us well."
The first commander of the Finnmark Brigade, Brigadier John Olav Fuglem (to the left), and Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars Lervik. (Photo: Arnfinn Sjøenden/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
"Will provide significant combat power"
The Finnmark Brigade is now the second Norwegian brigade, together with Brigade Nord. Following the long-term plan for the Armed Forces, a third brigade will also be established in the south of Norway.
The development of the Finnmark Brigade will extend to 2032, with the addition of a light infantry battalion, artillery, air defense and support units in the fields of medicine, communications, logistics and intelligence.
At the same time, the brigade will build on the expertise developed in the Finnmark Land Defense through the Ranger Battalion (Border Guard) at the Garrison in Sør-Varanger and the Porsanger Battalion, and will be integrated with the Finnmark Home Guard District (HV-17).
"The fact that we are establishing a brigade means that we are building a standing force that will be able to defend itself alone over time. This will provide significant combat power and involves major investments," states the defense minister.
Norway's Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik (to the right) inspects new buildings at the Garrison in Porsanger together with the Norwegian Defense Estates Agency, Thorbjørn Thoresen. (Photo: the Norwegian Armed Forces)
Upgraded garrison
On Wednesday, a new and modernized garrison in Porsanger was also handed over by the Norwegian Defense Estates Agency.
NOK 1.5 billion has been invested in several new buildings and infrastructure, such as housing, a hospital, a guardhouse, and an office building.
"We are grateful for the work the Norwegian Defense Estates Agency has done to improve living and working conditions for our personnel, and the storage of equipment. We have approximately doubled our presence in Finnmark from 2017 to 2025, and the growth will continue in the years to come. Good living, working, and training conditions are crucial to this, and we look forward to the continuation," says Major General Lervik.
In addition, the Norwegian Defense Estates Agency will construct two new multi-purpose halls worth approximately NOK 200 million. Construction will begin this fall, and the halls are scheduled to be ready in 2027.
Purchase of more firepower
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense also announces that the government is accelerating the purchase of additional artillery for the Finnmark Brigade and the Army.
More specifically, the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency will exercise an option to purchase an additional 24 K9 self-propelled howitzers, and plans to sign the contract with South Korean Hanwha Land Systems in September.
