Page 17 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

In a conference held in Oslo last year, Norwegian speakers underscored their concern with the need to take
Arctic security and defense seriously.

“A strong NATO presence in the North is in the US’ and Norway’s interest”, said Øystein Bø, State Secretary of
the Norwegian Ministry of Defense at the event.

Bø specifically pointed to the new security environment in Europe after Russia’s actions in Ukraine, and the
increasing human activity in the Arctic. Norway has for a long time pushed to strengthen NATO’s maritime
capabilities, especially in the North Atlantic.

Ahead of the Warsaw Summit this year, Norwegian Minister of Defense Ine Eriksen Søreide wrote in
a statement “NATO needs a coherent and robust long-term strategy to deal with the new security environment. A
key element of that strategy must be maritime power and presence in the North”.
State Secretary Bø underlined the need for increase in training, exercises and presence, as well as improving
NATO command and control structure..

http://www.highnorthnews.com/nato-reluctant-to-engage-in-the-arctic/

In our discussion, he both underscored the importance of working with the Russians and deterring them. He
argued for the need for predictability but also strengthening one’s deterrent capabilities as well.
It was crucial for both Norwegian defense modernization as well as working effectively with allies in defense
of the Norwegian region.

Exercises are an important tool in this effort, within NATO and with other Nordic exercises.

He noted that the Norwegian, Swedes and Finns do joint air exercises and operate from their home bases but
work together in shaping collaborative air operations.
“This ensures efficiency in that the logistics are provided at the home bases; but also shaping collaborative
capabilities by working together in common areas of interest in the region as well during the exercise.”

Figure 2 The Norwegian Deputy Defense Minister Øystein BØ: Credit: Norwegian Ministry of Defense

He started the conversation by focusing on the F-35 and its potential contributions to Norwegian defense
modernization.

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