Revised long-term plan for the Norwegian defence sector

Today, the government is presenting a revised long-term plan for the The Norwegian Defence sector. Prices are rising, ambitions are growing, and the debate revolves around frigates, submarines and tanks.

What we buy is one thing, but equally important is how we make it all work together and fully leverage our investments. The drone initiative now being announced is both correct and important. But a drone without control, without situational awareness and without integration with other systems is just a machine. It is the integration of manned and unmanned systems into one cohesive force that turns it into a real capability.

Norway already has a complete national value chain for the control of unmanned systems – and the adopted drone strategy for the defence sector clearly points to what is needed: national solutions for command and control, communication, system integration and positioning.

We, and many of our peers in the Norwegian defence industry, are right in the middle of that value chain – and we are ready to deliver more. And we can do it tomorrow. But for the industry to scale, predictability is essential: long-term frameworks that make it possible to invest in competence and capacity.

As the defence budget surpasses 180 billion, it is increasingly important to invest in the technology that gives decision-makers the full picture when it matters most.