Page 70 - North Atlantic and Nordic Defense

North European and North Atlantic Defense: The Challenges Return

The Norwegian Navy and Shaping Air-Sea Integration for Norwegian
Defense
2017-02-18 By Robbin Laird

After the Norwegian Airpower Conference, 2017, I had a chance to talk with the head of the Norwegian
Navy, Rear Admiral Lars Saunes. Because this was an airpower conference, the focus on the maritime
dimension naturally was primarily focused on air-sea integration in the extended defense of Norway.

A key theme within the Conference was the re-emergence of Russia as an air and maritime power globally,
and most certainly in the Northern region. The Northern Fleet and the defense bastion built around the Kola
Peninsula are two aspects of the direct presence of the Russians in the Norwegian area of interest. And
clearly, the expanded reach of Russia into the Arctic also affects the nature of the air and sea domain of
strategic interest to Norway as well.
In the Long Term Plan issued on June 17, 2016, this is how the Ministry of Defence characterized the Russian
challenge.

The most significant change in the Norwegian security environment is Russia’s growing military capability and its
use of force. The military reform in Russia has resulted in a modernization of Russia’s conventional forces as well
as a strengthening of its nuclear capabilities.

The Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the continued destabilization of Eastern Ukraine both constitute
violations of international law, which have had a dramatic effect on European security. Russia has repeatedly
proven itself willing to use a wide range of measures, including military force, to sustain its political dominance
and influence.

Even though Russia does not constitute a military threat to Norway, the combination of military modernization and
the will to exert as a central factor in Norwegian defense planning.Areas in Norway’s immediate vicinity are also
central to Russian nuclear deterrence, and Russia’s military presence and activities in the North have increased in
recent years.

The High North continues to be characterized by stability and cooperation, and Russian strategies for the Arctic
still emphasize international cooperation. At the same time, we cannot rule out the possibility that Russia in a given
situation will consider the use of military force to be a relevant tool, also in the High North

https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/departementene/fd/dokumenter/rapporter-og-
regelverk/capable-and-sustainable-ltp-english-brochure.pdf

The Russian and Norwegian areas of strategic interest are clearly congruent with one another, which means
that engaging and deterring Russia in the air and sea space of Norway and into the North Atlantic and the
Arctic is central to Norwegian defense
And this means as well that Norway needs a solid relationship with allies to ensure that both the extended
defense of Norway as well the defense of NATO’s Northern Flank is secured.

The map below highlights the situation facing Norway with regard to maritime zones and operational areas.

Second Line of Defense

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