Norwegian Special Forces: Their Role in Future Counterinsurgency Operations

One of the Norwegian governments main goals is to fulfill its security obligations to the international society by participating in complex multinational operations. Accordingly, during the past decade the government has strengthened the Norwegian Special Forces as an important strategic military asset for domestic and foreign engagements. The Special Forces have been deployed to several crisis response operations. A Norwegian Minister of Defense policy statement clearly emphasize that Special Forces will continue to be an important force contributor in future operations. This Strategy Research Project argues that the Norwegian Special Forces can make substantial contribution to military counterinsurgency campaigns. In background, this SRP describes the organization and recent missions of the Norwegian Special Forces. It analyzes the Special Forces capabilities and cites lessons learned from previous counterinsurgency operations.