Norway’s Defense Budget: An Uncomfortable Truth…

Gen. Sverre Diesen by Endre Lunde As “Norway’s Proposed FY 2007 Defense Budget” noted on October 11, 2006, the government has proposed a defence budget for 2007 amounting to NOK 31 billion (about $4.65 billion), with increases in a number of areas. DID has covered their upcoming choice of a new fighter, the new hybrid-power patrol vessels being introduced, and the recent controversies around the Fridtjof Nansen Class AEGIS frigates. The new budget spotlights increased funding and ongoing investment needs in a number of sectors, including investments for armoured vehicles and soldiers’ equipment, plus increases to help modernize Norway’s navy. More information can be found in the full English release from Norway’s Fordvarsdepartementet. Despite these apparent budget increases, the financial situation in the Norwegian armed forces remains dire. Many have pointed out the continuing imbalance between mission and resources, and have called for the revision of one or both of these factors to fix this situation. Recently, these issues came to a head… One figure that has repeatedly demanded such changes is the current Defense Chief (roughly equivalent to a Chief of Staff) General Sverre Diesen. General Sverre Diesen has refused to make explicit requests for additional funding, but he […]