The Finnmark Brigade to Save the Depopulating Norwegian Arctic
The revised long-term plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces was released on Friday. The government states that the establishment of the Finnmark Brigade should be completed in 2033—two years earlier than the original plans.
The promotion of the Finnmark Brigade is well received by Finnmark politicians. But they are unsure where the headquarters should be located. The Labor Party’s group leader in Alta believes it is important that activity is added to the Porsanger municipality.
At the same time, no one in the defense leadership wants to say where the headquarters for the newly established brigade should be located.
Will Change the Porsanger Community
Today, the Finnmark Brigade is primarily concentrated around the garrisons in Sør-Varanger and Porsanger, and much of the development will take place in these municipalities.
Mayor of Porsanger, Jo Inge Hesjevik, says it is positive that the Armed Forces are returning to the municipality.
“We have been in danger of losing the upper secondary school, we have experienced some emigration and there has been a bit of a heavy atmosphere. Now it has turned around, so it is very nice, what has happened.”
He says the establishment of the Finnmark Brigade will change the Porsanger community. He expects that some families with children will have to move to the municipality, which requires the development of kindergartens, schools and after-school care (SFO). In addition, the infrastructure must be expanded.
“We must also find out how to create jobs for fellow migrants.”
The municipality must find land for new defense developments. In addition, Hesjevik expects that local businesses will also need more space as activity in the municipality increases.
Facts About Finnmark Brigade
The brigade was officially established on August 20, 2025.
The brigade is currently divided between two municipalities:
- The garrison in Sør-Varanger, which is Norway’s only border municipality with Russia, in the far east of Finnmark.
- The garrison in Porsanger, which is located approximately in the middle of the county.
The Finnmark Brigade’s mission is to defend and protect the entire land area of Finnmark. It is particularly important that they guard the border with Russia.
The brigade will consist of 3,000–5,000 soldiers.
We Need to Get Moving
The Finnmark Brigade will be expanded from approximately 1,500 soldiers today to approximately 5,000 when the formation is complete.
Hesjevik admits that the municipality is not prepared for what could be a rapid growth in population.
“We need to get moving,” he states.
Therefore, it is not certain that the Armed Forces will be there to set the table, but the municipality will do its best.
Hesjevik is also looking forward to more life and activity in the municipality, both within sports and cultural life.
“There will probably also be more people to meet in restaurants and pubs.”
In these days, the mayor of Porsanger chooses to look forward to the positive consequences of increased defense activity in the municipality.
“Then I will focus on that today and enter Easter in a good mood.”
He will address the possible difficulties after the Easter holidays.
Must Give Assignments to Local Businesses
County Mayor Hans-Jacob Bønå is also satisfied that the Finnmark Brigade will be built up faster than previously planned. At the same time, promises of permits are not enough.
“It doesn’t help with just money if you don’t have anyone to do the job.”
County Mayor Hans-Jacob Bønå asks the Armed Forces to focus on local suppliers.
He believes the promotion of the Finnmark Brigade is a recognition that “it is actually Finnmark that borders Russia, and that this is where we see the greatest need for immediate action.”
He therefore believes that the defense effort must also contribute to the good functioning of civil society. It is then important that local businesses receive assignments when the Armed Forces are to award assignments and make purchases. That is why Finnmark politicians are working to create a supplier network that can benefit the Armed Forces.
“For example, the Armed Forces must use the construction industry in Finnmark to be court suppliers, that is important.”
Bønå believes that it is important that other suppliers also receive good agreements with the Armed Forces.
Indirect Support From the Labor Party in Alta
The county mayor does not express any position on where the headquarters of the Finnmark Brigade should be located, while the mayor of Porsanger Jo Inge Hesjevik says clearly and distinctly that it is his municipality that should host the headquarters, because it is the best location.
“We are located in the middle of Finnmark!”
Hesjevik receives indirect support from the Labor Party’s group leader in the Alta municipal council, Ole Steinar Østlyngen.
Group leader Ole Steinar Østlyngen in Alta Labor Party gives indirect support to Porsanger in the fight for the headquarters of the Finnmark Brigade.
When asked by NRK where the headquarters should be located, he says this:
“I won’t say much about that. It would certainly have been nice to have it in Alta, but Porsanger needs activity and already has a lot of activity at Porsangmoen. So I wish Porsanger that.”
Source: NRK (in Norwegian)