Norwegian Armed Forces into the Twenty-First Century - Heading the Right Way?

Termination of the Cold War faced Norway with a choice of way for her security policy. Her particular geo strategic location implies that she unlike her Allies still have to consider that a regional conflict may affect her own territory. As NATO initiatives call for shift to flexible, multinational efforts, this leaves Norway with the dilemma of how to balance participation in new Alliance endeavors with traditional national defense exertion. Current development of the armed forces advises continued strong emphasis on the latter. Consequently, as a minor contributor to multinational military structures, Norway experiences decreased attention and influence in international cooperation vital to her own security. This study suggests that the military alterations made so far, as well as those officially proposed for 1999 - 2018, this way fail to adequately support future policy. Retaining main effort to territorial defense will increasingly prove counter productive to a well meant intention a shift to international participation as main effort is urgent. Subsequently, the study identifies four basic requirements to a force structure that will support this. Based on these requirements, it proposes transition to a three tier force structure comprising Territorial Guard, National Defense and Multinational Employment Forces.