Prepare for war, says Norway’s top general
NORWAY must ramp up defence spending in the face of a potential war with Russia within three years, the country’s armed forces chief has warned.
Gen Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with Dagbladet, a Norwegian newspaper, that time was running out to build up the nation’s defences in the face of an increasingly unpredictable Russia.
“The current window of opportunity will remain open for a year or two, perhaps three, which is when we will have to invest even more in our defence,” he said, adding: “We do not know what will become of Russia in three years. We need to prepare a strong national defence to be able to meet an uncertain and unpredictable world.”
The general said Moscow was building up its weapons stockpiles much faster than Nato allies had anticipated, adding to the sense of urgency.
Norway, a Nato member, does not currently meet the alliance’s requirement of spending 2 per cent of GDP per year on defence, but is aiming to reach that goal by 2026.
It is the latest in a string of warnings from Western leaders that open conflict with Russia on the eastern flank is increasingly becoming the biggest security threat facing Europe.
Last week, Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, said Vladimir Putin may choose to attack a Nato country within five to eight years. Earlier this month, Gen Micael Bydén, the head of the Swedish armed forces, said Swedes needed to “prepare themselves mentally” for the outbreak of open conflict with Russia.
Nato leaders are particularly concerned about Putin’s apparent goal of expanding Russia’s borders, which could lead to attempted land grabs in Finland and the Baltic states. Finland has already joined Nato, while Sweden’s request was ratified by the parliament of Turkey last night after more than a year of delays.