Speaking at the press conference,Jonas Gahr Støredeclared Norway’s support for the 5% target proposed by Nato’s secretary generalMark Rutte.
In his opening statement, Støre explainedthe target is divided into 3.5% on “classic defence”spending including staff, investments, preparedness, and support forUkraine, withthe remaining 1.5% on “defence-related expenses”including on operational and industrial measures.
He said that the latter category could cover expenses on protecting anddeveloping critical infrastructure, facinghybrid threatsincluding in digital, anddisinformation, among others.
He said the country was currently spending 3.2% on defence, if Ukraine aid is included. The latest Nato estimates for 2024 had Norway spending 2.2%.
The prime minister added that some details on the target, including by when the countries should meet it, remain under active discussions and will be decided next week.
Støre also reiterated his warning thatNorway faces “the most serious security policy situation” since the second world war,as he also pointed to new risks arising from the crisis in the Middle East.
