Historical archive

Licensing requirements to apply to all exports of old military equipment

Historical archive

Published under: Solberg's Government

Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is introducing the principle ‘once military, always military’ into its regulations for the export of defence-related products. This means that products manufactured for military purposes may not be exported without authorisation from the Ministry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is introducing the principle ‘once military, always military’ into its regulations for the export of defence-related products. This means that products manufactured for military purposes may not be exported without authorisation from the Ministry.  

Until now, discarded military equipment could, under certain conditions be exempted from the licensing requirement and exported as civilian products, provided that weapons, mountings and other military features were removed. This will no longer be permitted.  The amendments to the regulations enter into force today, and mean that all defence-related products are subject to stringent licensing and export control requirements, regardless of their condition.  

‘The Norwegian regulations for the export of defence-related products are among the strictest in the world. Introducing the “once military, always military” principle will further reinforce this. It will create a clear framework for disposing of used military equipment and will strengthen our national controls over where and how old military equipment from Norway is used,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

More detailed information about the regulations and about procedures for applying for export licences can be found on the Ministry’s export control webpages.