Visits to the Swedish and Finnish troops were especially important.

– Nwe have a strong political signal that we should serve, train and coordinate together, and that is completely independent of those discussing NATO membership. They are our neighbors, our partners. The fact that they train here, speak the same military language, and that we know each other, is important to Norway’s security, he said. Save to NRK.

Neither Sweden nor Finland is a member of NATO, but both countries are considering whether to apply for membership.

Støre wanted to point out that Sweden and Finland were more welcome to NATO cooperation this year than in years, and that the worsening situation in Europe meant that cooperation took place across national borders.

More military equipment can be stored in the north

American soldiers were the majority during practice, and so Støre found it natural to greet them during his visit as well.

“America’s cooperation and security that we are allies in NATO, with a shared defense obligation that an attack on one is an attack on all, is what we build a very important part of our security,” said Støre.

– Should people in the north count on a greater American presence also beyond the big drills of the future?

– We don’t have a base in Norway, that’s not an answer for us. The answer for us was to conduct Allied exercises in a realistic and sound way, and what we can offer here in Troms is appreciated by our allies, said Støre.

However, there may be more storage of military equipment in the north in the future.

– There should be good storage areas so that there is a good balance between those who come in, and they find the equipment they need to be able to operate and do their job. “We have a long tradition of doing that, and it has to be on time,” said the Prime Minister.

Earlier this month, the government requested an additional grant of NOK 3.5 billion to strengthen defenses in the north. The war in Ukraine has made several countries in Europe want to strengthen their country’s defenses.

Støre said it was also important to plan the Armed Forces’ long-term plans for the upcoming budget.

– We have to think twice, and we have to prioritize. “Here we are holding elections on behalf of the whole country,” said the Prime Minister.

Great interest in practice

Støre wasn’t the only one traveling north during this year’s training. Never before has the Armed Forces experienced a greater interest in Cold Response.

Crown Prince Haakon visited the exercise in Bjerkvik earlier this week, the Prime Minister of Sweden visited, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was in Bardufoss on Friday this week, and now the Prime Minister is here.

The King of Holland is also somewhere in Inner Troms these days.

Next week, defense ministers from Norway and the UK will visit Cold Response.

The international press also showed greater interest in this year’s exercise than ever before, an Armed Forces press officer told NRK.

The war in Ukraine has led to increased interest in Allied exercises this year.