Page 17 - Norwegian Special Report

Reshaping Norwegian Defense

In short, Norway is taking defense modernization seriously and is challenging core allies to work effective
means to work together to deal with evolving challenge to the East.

THE PERSPECTIVE ON THE WAY AHEAD FROM THE ROYAL NORWEGIAN AIR
FORCE: MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF INTEGRATED HIGH INTENSITY
OPERATIONS

During the Norwegian Airpower Conference held at Trondheim in early February 2017, I had a chance to
discuss with the new Chief the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje Skinnarland, and Brigadier
General Jan Ove Rygg, chief of the National Air Operations Center (NAOC) their perspectives on the way
ahead.

http://www.sldinfo.com/new-head-of-the-norwegian-air-force-in-a-period-of-significant-airpower-transition/

The Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force set the tone for much of the discussion during the Conference by
focusing on the Norwegian Air Force in transition and the challenge of shaping integrated defense
capabilities for the defense of Norway.

Norway being a small country with a large geography and a large neighbor on its border obviously
needed to shape a defense capability highly interactive with its allies to ensure deterrence in depth for
Norwegian defense.

Figure 6 Chief the Royal Norwegian Air Force, Major General Tonje Skinnarland, speaking at the Norwegian
Airpower Conference, February 2017. Credit: Second Line of Defense.

The perspective of the Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force on the F-35 was that this was not at all a
replacement aircraft, but a strategic asset when properly integrated with the national defense force and
NATO forces.

The Air Force is in the throes of significant modernization with the addition of the F-35, the P-8 as well as new
helicopters, and the overall challenge was to ensure integration of these platforms into a joint force able to
operate in the integrated battlespace.

And she made it very clear that it was preparation for and training to ensure effective capabilities for the
high-end fight, which was the core focus of attention.

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