Norway boosts defence against Russia threat

The Norwegian Government presented on the 17 June 2016 a white paper to Parliament describing the Long Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces for the years 2017-2020. The Government recommended a gradual increase in the defence budget over the course of the coming four years to a 2020-level NOK 7.2bn above 2016-levels, and that over the coming 20 years will see an accumulated total of NOK 165bn in additional funding for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Norway is a NATO member. Prime Minister Erna Solberg said at a press conference launching the Plan that 'Unfortunately the geopolitical circumstances have changed significantly, in a bad way, in recent years. ... We have an increasingly unpredictable neighbour to the east which is strengthening its military capacity, and showing willingness to use military force as a political tool'.

• Primary Source

Norway: Government: Press Release, 17.06.16: Norwegian Government Proposes Historic Defence Spending Increase https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/norwegian-government-proposes-historic-defence-spending-increase/id2504968/

ESO: Background information: Nordic nations agree on defence cooperation against Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/nordic-nations-agree-on-defence-cooperation-against-russia/

NATO: Norwegian Delegation to NATO: News, 09.06.16: Secretary General thanks Norway for its contributions to NATO http://www.norway-nato.org/eng/News/Secretary-General-thanks-Norway-for-its-contributions-to-NATO/#.V2ebD_krKUk

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