Norway is upgrading its defense capabilities due to 'unpredictable actions' of Russia
The Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg announced that Norway has begun a large scale strengthening of its defense capability and an upgrade of the military sector for protection from unpredictable actions by the Russian Federation, Deutsche Welle reported.
According to the proposed law that should be approved by the Parliament, Norway plans to increase its military budget by 165 billion crowns (17.5 billion Euros) during the next 20 years. Solberg said the planned upgrade is the largest since the end of the Cold War and noted that Norway’s military forces aren’t adapted to the current geopolitical situation.
“Unfortunately, geopolitical circumstances have significantly changed for the worse in recent years. We have the increasingly unpredictable neighbor in the east that strengthens its military capability and shows readiness to use military power as a political tool,” Solberg said. The so-called law on military programming is aimed at upgrading the Army and provides for the preservation of resources and the purchase of new weapons.
Norway plans to purchase 52 fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, four submarines and new aircraft with military maritime surveillance radars that will replace six outdated P-3 Orion patrol aircraft.