Norway moves to strengthen its land and maritime defences with major investments in long-range precision weapons and an expanded submarine fleet, deepening cooperation with Germany.
Norway has announced one of its most significant defence investments in recent years, submitting a sweeping proposal to parliament that would equip the military with long-range precision weapons and expand the country’s submarine fleet amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.
Under the plan, the government intends to invest 19 billion Norwegian kroner (USD 1.88 billion) in long-range precision fire for the army, providing the ability to strike targets up to 500 kilometres away with high accuracy. Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said the new capability marks a “strategically important initiative”, bolstering Norway’s land forces at a time of heightened regional tensions.
“The Army is the first in the land defence of Norway in peace, crisis and war,” he said, adding that long-range weapons enhance deterrence by giving Norway the capacity to hit deep inside an adversary’s territory if required.
Alongside strengthening its land forces, Oslo is also moving to significantly reinforce its maritime defences. The government has proposed adding two more submarines to its fleet, taking the total number of newbuilds to six. This comes as part of a deepening defence partnership with Germany, which is co-producing the submarines through Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The first vessel is expected to enter service in 2029.
To support the expanded fleet, the government has requested an increase of 46 billion kroner in the submarine project’s overall cost framework. The additional funding will cover rising unit prices, risk reserves, currency adjustments, and the establishment of a second production line in Germany to meet the expanded order.
Sandvik noted that Norway’s strengthened submarine programme complements broader joint investment initiatives with Germany in air defence and armoured systems, boosting operational readiness for both NATO allies. He acknowledged the scale of the spending but stressed its necessity: “It is an expensive investment, but also an important investment in securing Norway in turbulent times.”
