Norwegian government will increase the defense budget and the size of army in 2025

The Norwegian government will increase the defense budget by NOK 19.2 billion in 2025. This is a 21.2% increase compared to 2024.

The Norwegian government announced this.

The defense spending is to be increased to a total of NOK 110.1 billion.

This decision is the fulfillment of the Norwegian government’s first promise regarding Norway’s long-term defense plan and exceeds NATO’s target of spending 2.16% of its GDP on defense.

“The government prioritizes defense because the world has become less secure. With this budget proposal, we are taking greater responsibility for both our own security and the security of our allies. As promised in our defense long-term plan, which was approved by the united parliament earlier this year,” says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.

The additional funds will be spent on purchasing more ammunition, improving training and expanding personnel.

In addition, an increase in the defense budget will allow Norway to expand spending on projects already underway, including the purchase of additional equipment and services for the F-35, new submarines, maritime and air surveillance equipment, and helicopters.

The funds are also planned to be spent on improving the living conditions of the Norwegian Armed Forces and strengthening the capabilities of the Norwegian Home Guard.

Norway seeks to improve the educational capacity for basic officer training by about 50 places, as well as to strengthen recruitment and retention efforts.

“We will continue to increase the number of soldiers and servicemen in 2025 and take measures to make service in the Armed Forces more attractive,” the Defense Minister said.

By the end of 2025, the government plans to increase the number of military personnel by about 300, conscripts by 400, and reservists by 600.

On September 21, it was reported that the Norwegian Coast Guard had adopted the Jan Mayen-class offshore patrol vessel Hopen.