Historic Increase in Defence spending – Morning seminar on the future of the Defence industry

Among others the Government will prioritise the following main areas:

• A strong maritime package: The Navy will get a minimum of five new frigates with anti-submarine helicopters, at least five new submarines, and a standardised vessel class of up to ten large and eighteen smaller vessels. In terms of money, the strengthening of the Navy is the largest investment in this long-term plan.

• More and improved air defence: The Government will purchase long-range air defence systems to protect against short-range ballistic missiles. In addition, the quantity of the existing NASAMS air defence will be doubled, which will be upgraded to improve protection against drones and missiles. Both the Air Force and the Army will receive more systems, and the current air defence systems will be updated.

• Stronger Army and Home Guard: The Army is being developed from one to three brigades, one in the northernmost county Finnmark, one in Troms, and a new Brigade South. Investments will follow on long-range precision firepower, additional combat vehicles, air defence, and helicopters for the Army and special forces. The Home Guard will increase to a total of 45,000 soldiers and with improved capabilities.

• Improve situational awareness: Increase the ability to create situational awareness with more surveillance, presence, and control in our surrounding areas, through the use of new vessels and the expansion of satellite and drone capabilities.

The Parliament will debate the Defence Plan 11 June 2024. FSi, Rud Pedersen Public Affairs and Simonsen Vogt Wiig invites you to a morning seminar 12 June 2024 at 09:00 -12:00 to debate and explore the opportunities the ambitious Defence Plan creates.

Key note speaker will be Dr. Cecilie Hellestveit at the Norwegian Academy of International Law who will provide her analysis of the current security situation in Europe.

Thereafter Partner Kjetil Skogrand from Rud Pedersen will provide his in-depth insight on the Defence Plan and the possibilities it builds for stakeholders in the industry. Partner Espen Bakken from Simonsen Vogt Wiig will provide his insight on the use of Article 123 of the EEA Agreement and Industrial Cooperation. Finally, we will establish a panel who will reflect on the future of the Defence industry.

Light refreshments will be served.