New Military Research Center for the Norwegian Arctic
Night time cityscape of Tromsø.
The government is allocating NOK 20.7 million to establish a satellite branch of the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) in Tromsø, with an additional outpost at Andøya, NRK reports.
The establishment is part of the Armed Forces’ long-term plan, which is supported by all parties in the Storting.
“We are now building up the Armed Forces and strengthening Norway’s defense capabilities. Research that makes our Armed Forces even stronger is an important part of this.”
Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik (Labour Party) tells NRK. FFI already has locations at Kjeller and in Horten.
A Buildout Decades in the Making
The funds will be used for, among other things, premises, a general manager and the initial staff. The goal is to build a research environment comprising around 40 security-cleared researchers in Tromsø. According to the plan, the institute is not scheduled for completion until 2036.
Labour’s defense policy spokesperson, Nils-Ole Foshaug, is himself from Målselv in Troms.
“We have worked toward this for a long time. The establishment shortens the distance between research communities, the region’s industry and military units in Northern Norway,” Foshaug tells NRK.
Conservatives Say the Pace Is Too Slow
Erlend Svardal Bøe of the Conservative Party believes the pace is too slow.
“It needs to be established significantly faster than what we are seeing now,” he says.
Center Party leader Trygve Slagsvold Vedum emphasizes the importance of the Andøya location.
“This is about more than just jobs. It represents sound defense policy and sound regional policy,” says Vedum.
Source: Forsvarets Forum (in Norwegian)