Norway Responds to Russian Hostility. New Forces in the North
Norway is expanding its military forces in the far north. Three new subunits have been established in the Finnmark Brigade to enhance its command, protection, and firepower capabilities. Ultimately, the formation is expected to number around 4,000 soldiers.
In the photo: Norwegian and American soldiers during Thunder Bolt exercises in 2026.
Fot. Sondre Mosdal/Forsvaret
The creation of the new units was officially marked on August 20, 2026, during a ceremony in Porsangmoen. The event was attended by Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik and invited guests, and the Norwegian Armed Forces (Forsvaret) described it as the next stage in building the Finnmark Brigade.
An artillery battalion, an army air defense battery, and a signal company have been established. The first headquarters and subunits are already in place, as is some of the necessary equipment. Forsvaret indicates that the accelerated expansion is related to the changed security situation following Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
An artillery battalion, an army air defense battery, and a signal company have been established. The first headquarters and subunits are already in place, as is some of the necessary equipment. Forsvaret indicates that the accelerated expansion is related to the changed security situation following Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.
Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the deteriorating security situation highlight the need to expand the Finnmark Brigade as quickly as possible. The creation of the Artillery Battalion, Air Defense Battery, and Combined Company is a response to this phenomenon and will strengthen, among other things, the ability to command, self-defense, and inflict losses on the enemy.
New artillery already in place. Range to increase
The Finnmark Brigade's artillery battalion will be equipped with the K9 VIDAR system. Currently, it can fire at distances over 40 km, and the design has also been prepared for future use of Ramjet-powered ammunition with a range exceeding 120 km. The first four K9 VIDAR guns, along with support vehicles, have already arrived in Porsangmoen. Another 24 K9 Thunder systems are to be delivered in 2028.
Forsvaret assumes that the most important elements of the artillery battalion will be ready by 2028. According to the military, the pace of work was enabled by earlier political decisions, planning, and the experience of the Northern Brigade and the army school. The other new subunits will be developed in parallel. Their full equipment will depend on equipment deliveries and the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.
Forsvaret assumes that the most important elements of the artillery battalion will be ready by 2028. According to the military, the pace of work was enabled by earlier political decisions, planning, and the experience of the Northern Brigade and the army school. The other new subunits will be developed in parallel. Their full equipment will depend on equipment deliveries and the construction of new buildings and infrastructure.
In the photo: air defense exercises on Andøya in 2021.Photo: Ole Andreas Vekve, Norwegian Armed Forces/press materials/Forsvaret
Brigade to grow to 4,000 soldiers. Expansion to last until 2033
The entire Finnmark Brigade is to be completed by 2033. Its structure will then include about 4,000 soldiers, including professional personnel, conscripts, and reservists. When the brigade was established in 2025, it had 280 permanent staff. By autumn 2026, this number is expected to reach about 350.
By 2033, the number of permanent personnel is expected to rise to 700–800. The remaining personnel will be made up of conscripts and reservists, and employment in other defense structures operating in Finnmark will also increase separately. Forsvaret mentions, among others, cyber defense units, logistics organizations, and infrastructure support in this context. The brigade is also to cooperate with other army units, joint forces, and allied troops.
By 2033, the number of permanent personnel is expected to rise to 700–800. The remaining personnel will be made up of conscripts and reservists, and employment in other defense structures operating in Finnmark will also increase separately. Forsvaret mentions, among others, cyber defense units, logistics organizations, and infrastructure support in this context. The brigade is also to cooperate with other army units, joint forces, and allied troops.
The expansion will also require new barracks, apartments, offices, and multifunctional facilities. The commander of the Finnmark Brigade, Brigadier General John Olav Fuglem, also pointed to the need for a suitable training ground. Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik, in turn, announced further increases in the number of employees and conscripts, as well as investments in real estate, buildings, and infrastructure.
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