National Budget 2025: The Norwegian Government Proposes a NOK 19 Billion Increase in Defense Spending
"Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine is and remains Norway's biggest security policy challenge. The government's response to the serious security situation is a prioritization of security, defense, and preparedness," says MoD Bjørn Arild Gram (Centre) in connection with the presentation of the proposal for the defense budget for 2025. (Photo: Synne Nilsson/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
With the proposed increase, the Norwegian defense budget for 2025 will total NOK 110 billion. A main priority is to make the current defense structure work with more ammunition, better preparedness, and more people. The proposed budget also includes increased investments in material, property and construction.
In June, the Norwegian parliament unanimously adopted a new long-term defense plan. It entails spending an additional NOK 611 billion on defense over the next twelve years. By 2036, the total defense budget will reach NOK 1635 billion.
The long-term plan is followed up in the government's proposal for the 2025 national budget, which was presented on Monday.
The government suggests increasing the defense budget with NOK 19,2 billion. This amounts to a total budget of NOK 110,1 billion and fulfills NATO's aim for its members spending two percent of the gross national product (GDP) on defense. If the Nansen funds, including re-acquisitions, are excluded, the GDP share is 2.03 per cent.
"The government prioritizes security for the country at an uncertain time. We are strengthening the defense across the country and the ability for national control. With this budget proposal, Norway takes greater responsibility for its own and allied security in line with the new long-term defense plan," says the Norwegian MoD, Bjørn Arild Gram (Center).
The Norwegian Armed Forces will call up 400 more conscripted soldiers for compulsory military service in 2025, and a larger proportion of these will complete 15 or 16 months of service, according to the government's proposal for the defense budget for next year. Here, conscripts train at the Høybuktmoen camp at the Garrison of Sør-Varanger in Finnmark, Northern Norway. (Photo: Aleksander Ramsland/The Norwegian Armed Forces)
The main measures
The government proposes, among other things, the following main priorities:
• Strengthening the allocation to the Armed Forces with around NOK 5 billion to make the current structure work – with more ammunition, better preparedness, and more people. Staffing is planned to be increased by approximately 300 employees, as well as around 400 conscripts and 655 reservists (of which 500 in the Home Guard). The government prioritizes more people for the continued development of the Army in the North, i.a.
• To increase material investments by NOK 7 billion. Most of the money will go to already started projects, including new F-35 fighters with additional equipment and services, new submarines, maritime surveillance capability, maritime helicopter capability, artillery ammunition, and sensors for military airspace surveillance.
• To strengthen property and construction with NOK 1 billion for value preservation and renewal as well as an increase of NOK 600 million for investments. This is to provide better living conditions for the personnel and increased operational capability. The funds will i.a. go to the following projects in Northern Norway: Construction of facilities for P-8 maritime patrol aircraft at the Evenes Air Station in Nordland county, the development of the Blåtind shooting and training range in Troms county, as well as the construction multi-use halls and more at the Porsangmoen camp, the headquarters of Finnmark Land Defense.
"The people are the most important resource we have in the Armed Forces. We will continue the growth in the number of soldiers and employees in 2025 and take action to make it more attractive to serve in the Armed Forces," says MoD Gram.
Evenes Air Station, Northern Norway, is the main base for P-8 maritime patrol aircraft and the forward operating base for F-35 fighters. In its proposal for the 2025 defense budget, the government sets aside funds to build a hangar for the P-8, as well as other facilities around these aircraft, such as offices, workshops, and storage facilities. (Photo: Ole Andreas Vekve/The Norwegian Armed Forces)
Other central measures
The government also suggests the following investments:
- To strengthen the Home Guard with NOK 277 million. The funds shall, among other things, go toward training all Home Guard-areas annually with five training days for privates and seven for commanders, increase the number of HG soldiers by 500, as well as acquire more clothing and equipment.
- To reinforce research and development activities (R&D) in the Armed Forces with NOK 618 million. This includes an allocation of NOK 1.2 million to assess the establishment of a technology- and knowledge-intensive initiative in Northern Norway organized by the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment.
- To further develop the Intelligence Service and improve situational awareness with an increased allocation of NOK 495 million. The government has an ambition for Norway to be foremost among allies in understanding the situation in the North, i.a. through investing in intelligence.
- To increase the allocation for constructing a new main building on the polar island of Jan Mayen by NOK 568 million, which is financed beyond the financial schedule of the long-term plan. "Broad Norwegian civil and military presence and activity is important to mark Norwegian sovereignty and assert Norwegian interests at Jan Mayen," states the Ministry of Defense.
The Norwegian Armed Forces has a small station on the polar island of Jan Mayen, which is located on the border between the Norwegian Sea and the Greenland Sea. Here, the Armed Forces have 15 employees responsible for operating an airport and other infrastructure. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute also has two employees on the island. The existing building stock is in poor condition, and the government is now allocating funds to construct a new main building. (Photo: Anette Ask/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
Cultural dimensions
The government also wants to strengthen defense-related cultural heritage and stimulate the will to defend the country with the following measures:
- To establish the Norwegian Defense History Museum as a separate unit under the Ministry of Defense from January 1st, 2025, with strengthened operations of NOK 32 million. The Armed Forces' museums include the Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø, Northern Norway.
- To strengthen the maintenance of national fortifications heritage with NOK 31 million. Two such heritage sites are in the North: Vardøhus Fortress in Vardø, Finnmark county, and Trondenes Fort in Harstad, Troms county.
- To increase the allocation to the Armed Forces' subdivision for music by NOK 10 million for more rehearsals and performances. The Norwegian Army Band is based in Harstad, Northern Norway.
"A nation's cultural heritage and identity come under particular pressure and attack in times of war and conflict, intending to weaken the will to defend itself. Protecting our part of the cultural heritage is therefore closely linked to the defense pledge we are undertaking," says the Minister of Defense.
The government will give the Armed Forces' subdivision for music increased funds so that the military bands have the opportunity to practice and perform more. Here, the Norwegian Army Band, based in Harstad, is playing a concert in the town's square. (Photo: Harald Berger/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
