Norway increases its NATO contribution in Lithuania
The Norwegian government has decided to send 50 to 60 extra Norwegian soldiers to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) in Lithuania.
The 50–60 extra soldiers are based in a mechanised infantry unit and they will join the existing Norwegian force in Lithuania. As of today, Norway has a mechanised infantry company of about 150 soldiers from the Norwegian Army’s Brigade Nord. This company is part of the NATO eFP Battlegroup Lithuania.
Solidarity with our allies
The increased Norwegian force contribution was announced by the Norwegian government Tuesday morning. The backdrop for this situation is the tense security situation in and around Ukraine.
“We want to contribute to a strengthened Allied presence and security in the Baltics to show solidarity with our allies. For our part, this is best done by strengthening the force contribution we already have in Lithuania”, says Norwegian Minister of Defence, Odd Roger Enoksen.
Will deploy quickly
During the NATO 2016 Warsaw Summit, NATO decided to strengthen its military presence in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. The eFP is a defensive and reassuring measure that emphasises the Alliance's will for collective defence. Norway has continuously contributed with forces to eFP since the start.
The new Norwegian force will deploy to Lithuania quickly and initially for a period of three months. The period can be extended.
“We are experiencing a challenging security situation in Europe. The massive Russian build-up around Ukraine, and the demands on the United States and Europe, have changed the security situation in Europe. This also affects Norway, and we are following the situation closely”, says Enoksen.
Exercise Cold Response
Norway is NATO’s eyes and ears in the north, and we are continuously monitoring our land and sea areas.
“This winter, we are hosting the military exercise Cold Response. This exercise demonstrates allied strength, unity and ability to defend. At the same time, we contribute to NATO forces. We are increasing our army contribution to the eFP in Lithuania, and we are contributing to NATO's reaction forces and standing naval forces”, says Enoksen.
