Hvordan skal Nord-Norge forsvares? En analyse av landmakten på NATOs nordflanke.

Abstract

There is an ongoing debate about the future of Norwegian land power and the defence of the northern parts of the country, a crucial part of NATO’s Northern Flank. The debate emerged following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, and the 2022 invasion changed key premises, not least by leading to Finland and Sweden applying for NATO membership. This chapter discusses key political, military and geographic factors that impact the strategic role of land power in the region, including Norwegian, Allied, and Russian dispositions. In particular, we present and discuss ongoing developments in Norwegian land power structure, including modernization and force buildup efforts, against the backdrop of a debate on the virtues of a mechanized v. a sensor-shooter centered force. The chapter also discusses the changing role of Allied forces and the impact of future Finnish and Swedish NATO membership on the strategic role of land power in the region.