{"id":40435,"date":"2020-04-16T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T09:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/04\/16\/allies-share-views-on-enhancing-defense-of-norway-and-the-high-north\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:18:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:18:14","slug":"allies-share-views-on-enhancing-defense-of-norway-and-the-high-north","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/commentary\/2020\/04\/16\/allies-share-views-on-enhancing-defense-of-norway-and-the-high-north\/","title":{"rendered":"Norway\u2019s allies share their views on the country\u2019s new defense plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As countries around the world grapple with the unfolding coronavirus pandemic, the wider business of government continues. Norway\u2019s Ministry of Defence will shortly publish its next Long Term Plan, which will then be debated by parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The plan outlines how the Armed Forces, in tandem with other elements of government and society, can best address the threats to Norway from hostile states, terrorists, and fragile and failing states. The plan also examines how to bolster national resilience to deal with other risks including hybrid warfare, climate change and pandemics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A new Rand report<\/a>, commissioned by the MoD to inform its strategy and policy development, offers perspectives from its closest allies on the emerging security challenges and strategic options facing Norway. We found broad alignment of Norwegian and allied assessments across Denmark, France, Germany, the U.K., the U.S. and NATO institutions, but some enduring differences in emphasis and priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other allies recognize Norway as punching above its weight and playing a critical role in the defense of the North Atlantic and High North. At the same time, our research concludes there is no time for complacency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norway\u2019s key allies agree that the most significant threat in the High North is not a crisis directed against Norway itself. The more plausible danger is \u201chorizontal escalation\u201d<\/a> \u2014 a crisis elsewhere in Europe rapidly growing into a wider conflict that threatens Norwegian waters, airspace and territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia continues to demonstrate hostile intent, and its military capabilities threaten the ability<\/a> of Norway and its allies to operate military forces, secure critical infrastructure and protect civilian populations. The collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 2019 brings an increased threat from medium-range ballistic missiles, requiring Norwegian and allied defense planners to adjust<\/a> to new threats to the homeland and region. Improvements in the Russian Northern Fleet, including surface vessels and submarines armed with modern cruise missiles, also pose an increased threat to NATO operations in the Norwegian Sea, to undersea internet cables and to sea lines of communication essential to reinforcing Norway from North America or Europe in the event of any conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also strong consensus on the enduring threats posed by terrorism, nonstate actors and challenges such as climate change in the Arctic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While all allies recognize the need to consider the strategic implications of a rising China, the United States sees China as a more direct and imminent security threat. Allies also welcome Norway\u2019s contributions to missions on NATO\u2019s eastern and southern flanks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allies perceive Norway as having an impressive mix of high-end capabilities for a country of its size and a mature total defense concept<\/a> \u2014 its strategy for engaging all elements of society in national defense. These capabilities and commitments, coupled with a well-respected approach to strategy development, have allowed Norway to have significant influence on strategic thinking within NATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\t