Moscow is building up its weapons stockpiles much faster than Nato allies had anticipated, creating a sense of urgency, the general said

Norway must ramp up defence spending in the face of a potential war with Russia within three years, the country’s armed forces chief has warned.

General Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with Dagbladet, a Norwegian newspaper, that time was running out to build up the nation’s defences in the face of an increasingly unpredictable Russia.

“The current window of opportunity will remain open for a year or two, perhaps three, which is when we will have to invest even more in our defence,” Gen Kristoffersen said in the interview, published on Sunday.

“We do not know what will become of Russia in three years. We need to prepare a strong national defence to be able to meet an uncertain and unpredictable world,” he added.

The Norwegian general said Moscow was building up its weapons stockpiles much faster than Nato allies had anticipated, adding to the sense of urgency.

  • Urist@lemmy.ml
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    10 months ago

    AFAIK Norway is the only nation bordering Russia that has never once in history been at war with it. This asstwat and other military men have been on Norwegian national media crying for more funds after the invasion of Ukraine. One has to see this in context of Norway having underfunded their military for some time and historically being subjugated by Denmark and Sweden. However, long story short, it is just fear mongering. Russia poses no credible threat to Norway with the backing of NATO.

    • FarceOfWill@infosec.pub
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      10 months ago

      You don’t think there’s a risk of NATO losing the us if trump wins?

      NATO in the EU needs to be ready to step up

      • Urist@lemmy.ml
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        10 months ago

        I would still be much more worried about the Baltic states being invaded. Even so, there is a reason no major powers have been at war since the invention of nukes, and NATO would not in any way be a pushover without the US.

        I do not disagree on allocating more funds to the military. I even argued that it objectively has been underfunded. That does not change that this man is an asstwat and others like him try to scare Norwegians for their own purposes. I think a scared populace is a dangerous thing, possibly allowing for dangerous ideas to be implemented in the name of security. Recently some hefty surveillance has been implemented in Norway, which I blame on people like him.

    • SuddenDownpour@sh.itjust.works
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      10 months ago

      Norway is part of NATO, and has strong incentives to make sure that its neighbours aren’t at risk of being invaded. They still have reason to want to make sure Russia wouldn’t be able to invade.

      • Urist@lemmy.ml
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        10 months ago

        and has strong incentives to make sure that its neighbours aren’t at risk of being invaded

        What do you mean?

        • SuddenDownpour@sh.itjust.works
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          10 months ago

          Finland and Sweden getting invaded is terrible for Norway’s economy’s and plenty of individual lives, so Norway has a natural interest in making sure those countries are well defended, either through their own means or through diplomacy, regardless of their own individual risk of being attacked by Russia.

          • Urist@lemmy.ml
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            10 months ago

            Yes, many in Norway have wanted to establish a nordic defense agreement, but this is now dead as Sweden and Finland are joining NATO. That being said, individually Finland and Sweden have much more military strength than Norway.

          • BaardFigur@lemmy.world
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            10 months ago

            Finland and Sweden getting invaded is terrible for Norway’s economy’s and plenty of individual lives

            Any other Nordic people, are like an extension of ourselves. There’s more difference between a western and eastern Norwegian, than a eastern Norwegian and a west Swede. It would essentially be like they invaded us. We would without a doubt support Sweden and Finland from the start.

    • gcheliotis@lemmy.world
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      10 months ago

      I am sorry but as you can tell by the number of downvotes received logic, nuance, and difference of perspective are not allowed these days on some English language forums when it comes to Russia. You must qualify all your statements with “Russia bad” and just join in the warmongering /s

      • Urist@lemmy.ml
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        10 months ago

        I appreciate you saying this even though I sleep very well at night regardless of downvotes.