– This is a national budget that prioritizes security and defence. The Government proposes strengthening the defence budget by NOK 6.5 billion, in line with the implementation of the long-term defence plan. This is necessary to strengthen our defence capabilities. After decades of downsizing, we are now building up the Armed Forces, says Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.

– We are strengthening preparedness with ammunition, equipment and new weapons, reinforcing the Armed Forces with more conscripts and personnel, investing in buildings and infrastructure throughout the country, and increasing production capacity in the Norwegian defence industry, says Sandvik.

With this proposal, the Armed Forces can maintain a high level of operations, sailing, training, exercises and military presence. At the same time, it enables the Armed Forces to increase staffing by approximately 750 permanent employees, 900 reservists and 450 conscripts during 2027.

– We are living in serious and unpredictable times. Norway’s defence capabilities must be strenghtened. The Government is therefore taking several steps in 2027. We are investing in more personnel, equipment, infrastructure, preparedness and resilience, in line with our NATO commitments and the long-term plan for the defence sector.

The Government proposes to allocate approximately NOK 7,8 billion to investing in and upgrading military property, buildings and facilities in 2027. This includes, for example, maintenance facilities, training areas, storage buildings and accommodation, representing an increase of approximately NOK 1,6 billion. In addition, the Government proposes to strengthen the upgrading of critical defence infrastructure to be able to receive allied forces by approximately NOK 500 million.

The Government proposes allocating NOK 516 million to a strategic initiative in the Norwegian Defence industry to increase production capacity.

The Government also proposes strengthening the Armed Forces' drone programme and allocating NOK 100 million to a national drone programme in 2027.

Increasing the Armed Forces' operating budget

The Government proposes strengthening the Armed Forces' operating budget by approximately NOK 2,8 billion in 2027. This is in addition to compensation for price and wage increases. This will provide scope to maintain a high level of activity, improve preparedness, build up the force structure and facilitate the transition from old to new equipment. At the same time, provision is being made for more conscripts, employees and reservists during 2027.

– In a serious security policy situation, it is necessary to prioritize funding for maintenance, activity and operations. We want the Armed Forces to maintain operational capability and recruit more personnel, while taking measures to increase preparedness and resilience. We therefore propose a significant strengthening of the Armed Forces' operating budgets, in line with the agreement on the reprioritized Defence Build-up endorsed by the Parliament as a whole, says the Minister of Defence.

The Government also proposes strengthening the capacity of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to carry out investment projects and enter into framework agreements for services and products that support the sector's activities, with NOK 255 million.

Strengthening the Intelligence Service

In the budget proposal, the Government proposes strengthening the Intelligence Service by approximately NOK 400 million.

– We need to understand developments around us quickly, thoroughly and accurately. It is important that the Intelligence Service and the Armed Forces have a strong and continuous ability to understand the threats in Norway's areas of interest and to provide early warning. The Government therefore proposes to continue and further strengthen the Intelligence Service's capacity for situational awareness and intelligence collection. This initiative will provide a better and more up-to-date situational picture, from the seabed to outer space and across all domains, says the Minister of Defence.

Investing in equipment and weapons

The Government proposes allocating approximately NOK 34 billion to the appropriation for the materiel‑investment budget line in 2027. This represents an increase of approximately NOK 100 million in materiel investments.

– The build-up and modernisation of the Armed Forces are well under way. We are now making the largest investment in Norwegian security in modern times. We are investing in new equipment and building a defence force for the future, including new main battle tanks and long-range precision fires for the Army, weapons for our new combat aircraft in the Air Force and new submarines for the Navy, says the Minister of Defence.

The majority of expenditure in 2027 will go towards projects currently under implementation. The largest expenditures will be on new submarines (NOK 7,7 billion), new main battle tanks for the Army (NOK 4,6 billion), the combat aircraft programme (NOK 3,3 billion), life extension of the existing frigates (NOK 2,3 billion) and sensors for airspace surveillance (NOK 1,9 billion). Funding is also being allocated to, among other things, Coast Guard vessels and air defence.

Support for Ukraine is support for Norway and Europe

In 2027, the Government proposes a framework for civilian and military support for Ukraine at NOK 85 billion. This will increase the overall framework for the Nansen Support Programme to at least NOK 344 billion for the period 2023–2030. The Government proposes that military support should amount to NOK 70 billion in 2027, of which NOK 50 billion will be allocated in full to international initiatives and procurement from Ukrainian industry.

Compared with the 2026 defence budget, the Government proposes a nominal increase of NOK 11.9 billion for next year. This includes the continuation of military support for Ukraine. Excluding military support for Ukraine, the defence budget increases from approximately NOK 112 billion in 2026 to NOK 123 billion in 2027.