The Arctic Debrief: Norway's military budget reach NATO benchmark

In this edition:

• Norway's military budget reach NATO benchmark
• Iceland hosts security meeting of Arctic allies
• Russia turns blind eye to lack of safety measures for Northern Sea Route

Latest Developments

Norway's military budget reaches NATO benchmark

The Norwegian government's 2025 national budget includes raised its defense spending by $1.2 billion, bringing it to a total of $10.3 billion. This brings the country inline with NATO's 2% GDP guideline.

The funds will be used to purchase ammunition, artillery shells and other types of ordinance, and to hire and train additional personnel. Money will also be allocated to the construct and upgrade military facilities, especially those in the North.

A significant portion of the funding will go towards existing programs such as the acquisition of F-35 jets, submarines, surveillance technology, and other projects.

Tensions in Norway have increased since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to nation's government shifting its attention to national security. The Norwegian government announced a new long-term defence plan in June 2024, which aims to increase its military's ability to protect its territory and respond to potential threats.

The concerns have not been unwarranted, as communications cables at a Norwegian military base were intentionally damaged. Additionally, Russia's navy have conducted a number of exercises violating the exclusive economic zones and fishing areas of multiple Nordic states, including Norway.

Iceland hosts security meeting of Arctic allies

Arctic members of the NATO alliance met in Iceland to discuss national security with a focus on Russia's and China's growing cooperation in the northern region.

Domain awareness and the ability to provide a united response to potential threats was the focus of discussions. Improving each nation's ability to surveillance their territory and sharing that information with its allies is seen as a crucial aspect for the allies.

A month prior to this meeting the navies of Russia and China participated in joint exercises and patrols in the Arctic. One of these patrols were spotted by the US Navy

The meeting was attended by the top defence officials of each respective country, which includes 7 out of the 8 Arctic states: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.

Russia turns blind eye to lack of safety measures for Northern Sea Route

Experts raised concerns with ships, which are not designed to traverse ice, traveling through Russia's Northern Sea Route as they endanger not only their crew and other vessels, but the region's environment and marine life.

Vessels traveling through Arctic waters must pass specific requirements to ensure their ability to withstand the journey through an icy sea. However, the Russian government has been permitting ships not classified as ice-capable to travel through its Northern Sea Route.

Russia is likely doing this to increase traffic and profit in the region. The government, including President Vladimir Putin, declared its intention to grow the region's economic importance and has made a number of investments towards that goal. Additionally, Russia and China have agreed to cooperate on various projects in the region.