The Norwegian Government Proposes Defense Budget Increase of NOK 4,2 Billion in 2026
The current security policy situation necessitates the costly build-up of the Norwegian Armed Forces, states Norway's Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik (Labor) in connection with the presentation of the government's proposal for next year's state budget. (Photo: Martin Mellquist/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
With the proposed increase, Norway will spend NOK 112 billion on national defense in 2026. In Northern Norway, there are i.a. plans for investments in property, buildings, and facilities of about NOK 3,2 billion.
The Norwegian Labor Party minority government recently presented its proposal for the national budget for 2026.
The proposal includes a defense budget increase of NOK 4,2 billion.
This aligns with the financial trajectory outlined in the long-term defense plan, which was unanimously adopted by the Norwegian parliament last summer. The first major increase is implemented in 2025 with over NOK 15 billion.
Overall, the proposed total defense budget is about NOK 180 billion and includes funds for national defense and military support for Ukraine. With this, Norway will spend 3,4 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense in 2026.
If one excludes the support for Ukraine, the defense budget amounts to about NOK 112 billion.
"This is a good starting point for a rapid strengthening of the defense capabilities. With this budget, we are on track to reach NATO's new target of spending 3,5 percent of the gross domestic product on defense purposes," says the Norwegian Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik (Labor).
The Norwegian government proposes increased funding to recruit more people to the defense sector. In the North, there is a particular focus on the development of the Finnmark Brigade. The brigade, which was established in August and is due to be completed by 2032, will have a total of 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. Image from the ceremony for the establishment at Porsangmoen camp. (Photo: Helene Sofie Thorkildsen/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
Overarching lines
"It costs a lot to build up the Armed Forces as much as we are doing now. But we have no choice given the security policy situation we are facing in which Russia attacks its neighboring country, and the NATO alliance is more important than ever to ensure the security of Norwegian citizens and Norwegian territory," continues Sandvik.
With this budget proposal, the Norwegian government increases the Armed Forces' operational framework so that they can maintain the current level of activity with regard to operational activities, training and exercises.
The proposal also provides for the continued build-up of the military preparedness and stamina through more resources for personnel development, materiel operations and spare parts.
In addition, the proposal includes efficiency improvements in the defense sector of about NOK 700 million.
Materiel management will be strengthened with the Norwegian government's proposed defense budget. Here, an avionics technician works on maintaining a P-8 maritime patrol aircraft at Evenes Air Station in Northern Norway. (Photo: Fabian Helmersen/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
Main priorities
More specifically, the Norwegian government proposes the following investments:
· A NOK 1,3 billion increase for personnel development in the defense sector. This will facilitate an increase in personnel by about 600 permanent employees, 750 reservists and 700 conscripts, as well as a strengthening of the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency and the Norwegian Defense Estates Agency in order to conduct more and larger investments.
· A NOK 800 million increase for materiel management in the Armed Forces. This will facilitate both better availability of materiel and strengthen the preparedness of the Armed Forces in line with the implementation of the new structure, such as a planned structure development of the Army, maintenance of F-35 fighter jets, further development of maritime air surveillance, and the development of a new naval mine reception capacity.
· An NOK 482 million increase for the operational framework of the Armed Forces. This will ensure that the Armed Forces can continue with the same level of activity as in 2025, as well as having the opportunity to increase the activity levels within certain defense branches and departments.
The level of activity in the Norwegian Armed Forces is maintained with the government's proposal. Here, the frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl sails together with the support vessel HNoMS Sleipner during training activities in Nordland, Northern Norway, earlier this month. (Photo: Ørjan Andreassen/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
Other central measures
The government also proposes the following priorities:
· A NOK 438 million increase for further development of the Norwegian Intelligence Service and to strengthen situational awareness.
· A NOK 421 million increase for materiel investments. In addition, a NOK 179 million investment is proposed through NATO. In total, NOK 43 billion is proposed allocated for investments in new submarines, weapons, measures related to the fighter aircraft program, Seahawk helicopters for the Coast Guard, and tanks for the Army, among other things.
· A NOK 268 million increase for investments in property, buildings, and facilities. In total, the government wants to spend NOK 6 billion on this in 2026, including NOK 3,2 billion in projects at several of the Armed Forces' locations in Northern Norway.
· A NOK 24 million increase for the Norwegian Home Guard. In 2026, the regional structure will be strengthened with 500 reservists. Furthermore, the Tromsø task force in the Nord-Hålogaland Home Guard District 16 is planned to be established next year, initially with 60 reservists. The increased allocation will go towards necessary equipment, as well as training and exercises for new personnel. In addition, the proposed funds will be used for a personnel increase.
The Norwegian government is allocating additional funds for new construction and maintenance of property, buildings and facilities, not least in Northern Norway. Among other things, investments will be made in new housing, barracks and educational buildings to accommodate the growth in the Armed Forces' personnel. (Photo: Marion Aaserud Dahlen/the Norwegian Armed Forces)
