Tag Archives: Defense Forum

AmCham Defense Forum: The Evolving Security Landscape and Norwegian Military Development

AmCham Defense Forum: The Evolving Security Landscape and Norwegian Military Development

In collaboration with the US Commercial Service, AmCham’s first Defense Forum of the year was hosted by Brækhus at their downtown Oslo offices. The session featured two distinguished speakers: Retired General Sverre Diesen, lead researcher at Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI) and former Chief of Defense, and General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense. Together, they provided invaluable insights into the current and future security challenges facing Norway and its allies.

Sverre Diesen opened the forum with a comprehensive analysis of the global security environment following the US Presidential Election and the enduring role of the United States as an indispensable nation. General Diesen examined the critical implications for Europe and Norway, emphasizing that while the nature of US support might evolve, Norway’s dependence on US support will remain steadfast, regardless of the probability or nature of that support. He also highlighted the importance of proactive strategic planning to navigate a more complex and unpredictable security landscape.

Retired General Sverre Diesen, lead researcher at Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI) and former Chief of Defense,

General Eirik Kristoffersen focused on the future development of Norway’s Armed Forces. He outlined how Norway’s Defense Pledge – with a budget exceeding NOK 1 600 billion through 2036 – will drive significant advancements in national defense capabilities. Norway is aiming to allocate 3% of GDP to defense by 2030, including contributions through the Nansen Program. Kristoffersen underscored three key priorities for Norway and its allies moving forward: standardization, mobilization, and interoperability. Drawing from lessons learned in Ukraine, he emphasized the importance of streamlined procurement processes, flexibility, and collaboration with private industry to ensure innovation and scalability in times of crisis.

General Kristoffersen also challenged the defense industry to play a more dynamic role in supporting Norway and NATO’s strategic goals by delivering affordable, innovative, and rapidly deployable solutions to meet emerging threats. He highlighted that public-private collaboration will be essential to ensure Norway remains equipped to address evolving security challenges alongside its allies.

About the AmCham Defense Forum

In partnership with the US Commercial Service, the Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Key Patron-level and defense industry representatives gather quarterly to forge enhanced public-private sector collaboration – sharing insights, developments, and trends to secure long-term transatlantic bonds.

 Please contact amcham@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense

Cyber Influence and the Private Sector’s Role in National Security

AmCham Defense Forum

In collaboration with the US Commercial Service, AmCham’s third Defense Forum of the year was hosted by Geelmuyden Kiese. The session began with a presentation on information manipulation and cyber influence operations by Eskil Grendahl Sivertsen, followed by a discussion on the private sector’s vital role in national security led by Grete Aspelund.

Cyber Influence and the Private Sector’s Role in National Security

Eskil Grendahl Sivertsen, Special Adviser for Cyber-Social Propaganda & Influence at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI), provided a comprehensive overview of online information manipulation and interference. He highlighted the growing significance of cyber influence campaigns, which states use to create confusion and mistrust among adversaries by blending facts with falsehoods to promote their own ideologies and political goals.

Eskil also noted the increasing sophistication of these operations due to the rise of AI tools, which have enhanced both the volume and quality of content available online. The difficulty in distinguishing between AI-generated and authentic information, especially as there is “no silver bullet for detecting AI,” adds to the complexity of separating truth from misinformation. One emerging threat, he explained, is the proliferation of AI-driven autonomous news websites, which often produce articles with little or no factual basis and can make their way into mainstream media.

Private Sector’s Critical Role in National Security

Grete Aspelund, head of NCC Industry in the Nordics, addressed the crucial role of the private sector in supporting national security, particularly through the development and maintenance of critical infrastructure. She pointed out that while government ambitions are generally aligned with the needs identified by industry experts, three significant challenges remain: maintenance backlogs, geopolitical instability, and insufficient local funding.

Grete stressed that critical infrastructure, essential for emergency preparedness, must be built from the ground up. However, she noted that a lack of coordination and communication between governmental institutions and the public and private sectors hinders progress toward meeting Norway’s infrastructure needs. With the recent accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO, she emphasized the growing importance of Nordic collaboration on critical infrastructure, expressing hope for increased coordination between countries and greater involvement of the private sector in this effort.

About the AmCham Defense Forum

In partnership with the US Commercial Service, the Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Key Patron-level and defense industry representatives gather quarterly to forge enhanced public-private sector collaboration – sharing insights, developments, and trends to secure long-term transatlantic bonds.

Please contact amcham@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

Strengthening Alliances: Insights on the Norwegian Long-Term Defense Plan

Strengthening Alliances: Insights on the Norwegian Long-Term Defense Plan

In May, we had the pleasure of hosting Deputy Director General Marianne Rafn Skuse from the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and US Defense and Naval Attaché Todd Santala at Villa Otium, in collaboration with the US Commercial Service.

Deputy Director General Rafn Skuse, who leads Defense Planning at the Department for Defense Policy and Long-term Planning, shared insights on the newly approved Long-term Defense Plan (LTP). She emphasized the importance of its broad political support in Parliament to ensure continuity and commitment in the years ahead, as the funds will not be fully implemented until 2036. She also highlighted the need to address critical weaknesses in the Norwegian military alongside investing in new capabilities. The main prerequisites for growth include greater endurance, improved living and working conditions for military personnel, increased personnel, and modernized ICT infrastructure. The main priorities for new capabilities are enhanced situational awareness, replacement of the surface fleet, increased capacity for the army and home guard, and strengthened air defense.

The Norwegian defense concept is based on cooperation between the military, allies, and civil-military partnerships. Industrial cooperation will help achieve the Norwegian armed forces’ goals by developing new technologies, facilitating research and innovation, creating faster and more flexible procurement processes, and improving competency.

Defense Attaché Santala emphasized that the significant investments outlined in the LTP will strengthen Norway as a key ally to the US and NATO. He noted that these upgrades and new investments will enhance strategic capabilities in the Arctic region, aligning well with US military objectives and complimenting US capabilities. Norway’s strategic position in NATO has become even more important since Sweden and Finland joined, making Norway a transit country for personnel and equipment. The improvements from the LTP will not only bolster Norway’s national defense but also make it a more reliable partner for its allies.

As the security environment evolves and technological advancements accelerate, industrial cooperation is becoming increasingly crucial. This extends beyond the defense industry to include sectors such as technology, health, and sustainability.

 

About the AmCham Defense Forum

In partnership with the US Commercial Service, the Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Key Patron-level and defense industry representatives gather quarterly to forge enhanced public-private sector collaboration – sharing insights, developments, and trends to secure long-term transatlantic bonds.

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AmCham Defense Forum: The Evolving Security Landscape and Norwegian Military Development

In collaboration with the US Commercial Service, AmCham’s first Defense Forum of the year was hosted by Brækhus at their downtown Oslo offices. The session featured two distinguished speakers: Retired General Sverre Diesen, lead researcher at Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI) and former Chief of Defense, and General Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway’s Chief of Defense. Together, they provided invaluable insights into the current and future security challenges facing Norway and its allies.

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AmCham Defense Forum: A New Security Environment

AmCham Defense Forum: A New Security Environment

Rud Pedersen Public Affairs recently hosted AmCham’s first Defense Forum of the year, centered on the “Development of the Norwegian Armed Forces in a New Security Environment and Opportunities for Industry,” featuring esteemed speakers Kjetil Skogrand and Ine Eriksen Søreide.

Skogrand, Partner and Director of Defense & Security at Rud Pedersen, provided a comprehensive overview of Norway’s strategic landscape, emphasizing its critical position in a challenging neighborhood and the implications of its role as a significant energy supplier and coastal nation in potential conflicts. He underscored Norway’s increasing importance, particularly in light of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership. Skogrand further discussed the Norwegian armed forces and the forthcoming long-term defense plan (LTP), noting the country’s track record of effectively implementing such plans.

Speakers

Ine Eriksen Søreide

Acquisition Pace & Standardization

Subsequently, Ine Eriksen Søreide, Member of Parliament for the Conservative Party and Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs & Defense, shared insights from her recent participation in the NATO exercise Nordic Response. Highlighting the evolving nature of Nordic cooperation, Søreide stressed the significance of the enhanced ability for information-sharing and mutual protection, especially in the face of Russia’s escalating activities in the Arctic region and overall military scale-up.

While not divulging sensitive details about the impending LTP, Søreide emphasized the imperative of streamlining acquisition processes to meet defense objectives. She indicated that reducing Norway-specific adjustments to military procurement and investing in readily available materials, akin to practices adopted by allied nations, could be one of the several measures needed in addressing existing deficiencies in the national force structure effectively.

In conclusion, the Defense Forum highlighted the critical strategic considerations facing Norway in the evolving security landscape, alongside opportunities for enhanced cooperation and streamlined defense procurement processes. Optimism abounded regarding forthcoming investments in the defense sector, promising improvements in both materials and personnel. However, the anticipated influx of funding poses challenges in absorption, necessitating careful planning for administration and staffing of new initiatives and solutions. As Norway prepares for these transformations, it underscores the necessity of adaptability and foresight in navigating the complexities of modern defense.

Kjetil Skogrand

About the AmCham Defense Forum

In partnership with the US Commercial Service, the Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Key Patron-level and defense industry representatives gather quarterly to forge enhanced public-private sector collaboration – sharing insights, developments, and trends to secure long-term transatlantic bonds.

Please contact amcham@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.

 

AmCham Defense Forum: Expert Perspectives & Nordic Mindsets

AmCham Defense Forum: Expert Perspectives & Nordic Mindsets

First House warmly hosted AmCham’s June Defense Forum, providing representatives from 24 organizations a unique opportunity to share insights, expand collaboration, and assess future transatlantic needs. The agenda focused on supporting US defense industry partners operating in Norway, with discussions centered on Norway’s future acquisitions and Nordic defense cooperation.


Meeting presenters Sigbjørn Aanes, Partner at First House, Erling Heine Alvestad, Specialist Director at the Department of Security Policy, Norwegian Ministry of Defense, and LtCol Christopher D. Shore, Chief of Defense Cooperation Norway-Iceland, provided expert perspectives.

The discussion commenced by addressing the Norwegian political landscape, defense spending, recent political risks, the significant standing of labor, and impacts on defense procurements. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing geopolitical ramifications were also in focus.

 

Also spotlighted were the strategic depth and benefits that Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership offer Norway amidst a shifting security landscape. We thoroughly explored the future of Nordic defense collaboration, including identifying obstacles and broader implications. Additionally, we investigated defense links between the US and Norway, emphasizing considerations for industry collaboration.

The meeting concluded by recognizing the importance of adhering to good business practices in Norway, encompassing proper processes, adhering to timelines, and understanding cultural differences in the business environment – or “mindsets.”

About the AmCham Defense Forum

AmCham’s Defense Forum supports US defense industry partners in Norway. Patron-level representatives work jointly to bridge the gap between public and private sector stakeholders, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and innovation. AmCham’s far-reaching membership network strengthens defense capabilities and secures long term transatlantic bonds.

Jointly founded together with the US Commercial Service, the forum serves as a unique platform for regularly sharing insights, developments, and trends within the defense sector and beyond.

 

 

AmCham Defense Forum – Kick Off

AmCham Sustainability Forum: Plastics & Aviation

AmCham’s latest Sustainability Forum, hosted by NHO, brought together members representing diverse industries to learn about the NHO’s newly launched single-use plastic products partnership and from Avinor on how Norway is ideally suited as an international test arena for zero and low-emission aircraft.

 

Plastics and the Business Sector: The Norwegian Plastic Partnership

Andreas Pihlstrøm, lawyer at NHO and board member of the Norwegian Packaging Association, discussed the newly launched partnership between the Ministry of Climate & Environment and a number of business organizations to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic products. He illustrated how Norwegian businesses can take lead on the ambitious sustained reduction in the consumption of certain plastic products (SUP art. 4). Next is implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – setting legally binding goals and deadlines. 

He also presented on legal trends within plastics and shared resources for public access to information  and documentation on the different environmental acts and directives:

  • The Environmental Information Act, imposes a duty for companies to have and to give environmental information
  • The Transparency Act: Responsible business conduct in the supply chain, due diligence duties: Åpenhetsloven

Zero and Low Emission Aviation in Norway

Energy Transition Lead Erik By and Infrastructure & Drone Program Manager Terje Orskaug from Avinor unpacked Norway’s integral initiatives and political ambitions set in motion to advance the development of zero and low emission aviation in Norway. These include government actions, promising new technologies, and the creation of an ecosystem to facilitate innovation and establish Norway as an international test arena for new technologies. Furthermore, they discussed the government’s plans and ambitions laid out in the National Aviation Strategy 2023 and the National Transport Plan 2025-26. The aviation industry, with its high political and social importance, has established five main important work packages:

  • Market Dialogue
  • Airports, Infrastructure & Airspace
  • Energy Supply
  • Regulatory Sandbox
  • Communication & Knowledge Sharing

About the AmCham Sustainability Forum

Future success is dependent upon running a sustainable business – for people, planet, and profit. Hence, since 2018, AmCham has brought select, cross-industry member company representatives together to discuss opportunities, facilitate open exchange and determine how AmCham members can best contribute to Norwegian and US sustainability agendas going forward.

Read more about our Sustainability Forum and please contact Janice.Gundersen@amcham.no for interest in future meetings.