Norway to invest $6.4 billion in two additional submarines for long-range strike capabilities

PARIS Norway has announced plans to invest 65 billion Norwegian kroner, approximately $6.4 billion, to acquire two more submarines in addition to the four previously ordered from Germanys TKMS, alongside equipping its Army with long-range precision strike capabilities.

The government has proposed a parliamentary increase of 46 billion kroner to the submarine program budget to cover the additional vessels. Norway will also contribute to financing a second production line in Germany to ensure timely construction of the new submarines.

The decision comes amid heightened concerns over Russian military activity, including airspace violations of NATO allies, and fears that Russia may redirect focus toward the Baltic region following the Ukraine conflict. President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Russia would be prepared for conflict with Europe if provoked.

Norway is a maritime nation, and submarines are essential to our national defense, Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik stated. With six submarines, our forces can operate in more locations simultaneously, providing a strong deterrent against potential threats.

Increased Russian activity has been observed in the North Atlantic and Barents Sea, Sandvik noted. Additional submarines will bolster NATOs capability to maintain security and defense in northern waters. Submarines are indispensable for presence, monitoring, and deterrence in our neighboring areas, he added.

The strategically important Bear Gap, located between Svalbard and mainland Norway, is a key transit route for Russian ballistic-missile submarines moving from the Barents Sea to the Norwegian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Earlier this year, Norway also agreed to purchase at least five British Type-26 frigates, optimized for anti-submarine warfare, in a deal valued at around $13.5 billion. The UK and Norway plan to operate these frigates jointly to counter Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.

Two of the four submarines ordered in 2021 are already under construction in Germany, with the first delivery expected in 2029. Rising costs for raw materials, equipment, and exchange-rate fluctuations have increased the overall price, alongside expenses for weapon systems and upgrades for all six submarines.

The government is additionally proposing a 19 billion kroner allocation for long-range precision strike systems for the Army, capable of engaging targets up to 500 kilometers away. The budget will cover launchers, missiles, training, and support systems. Sandvik emphasized the deterrent effect of such weapons, capable of reaching deep into adversary territory.

Neighboring Denmark has also expressed the need for long-range strike capabilities to enhance its defense and NATO deterrence posture, though specific system details have not yet been disclosed.

Author: Ethan Caldwell