Modernization Must Continue (excerpts)
(Source: Norwegian Defence Forces; issued Feb. 3, 2005)
[Defence Chief] General Sigurd Frisvold is convinced that despite the budget being exceeded by 950 million kroners, the current modernization process must continue at same pace.
While visiting officers in Bodø in Northern Norway last week, General Sigurd Frisvold emphasised that the goals of the modernization process were still the same.
“The modernization is necessary in order to improve our operative capacities. At present, forces from all parts of the Defence are delivering capacities in demanding international operations,” he says.
On January 18, it was revealed that the Defence had used 650 million kroners more than they originally had, in 2004. In addition previous claims of 300 million kroners have not yet been paid. Thus, the total deficit reached 950 million kroners.
The Chief of Defence underlines that the overconsumption is totally unacceptable.
“We intend to present all the facts of the deficit before the yearly report is presented on February 15,” Frisvold says.
Outgoing Chief of Staff, General Lieutenant Svein Ivar Hansen, says the Defence will to find the reasons behind the budget exceeding, in order to make sure that such a situation does not arise again. “It is vital for our credibility that we stand together at such times. The worst thing that can happen, is that we start to point fingers and blame each other,” he says.
The negative figures must be obtained within 2005. Despite the Army and the Logistics' Organisation causing the majority of the deficit, these organisations cannot cover the deficit on their own. “We must look at the width of our activities. The Chief of Defence has said that activities such as the border guards, the royal guards, the coast guard and participation in international operations will be given priority,” he says.
Norwegian presence in the Baltics
When the Baltic nations joined the Partnership for Peace cooperation in the early 90s, Norway was given the task of establishing a radar system in order to improve control of the Baltic air space. “We have built a radio link uniting Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Sensors in the three countries are linked to a joint network, Baltnet. Thus, all three nations can observe the same air space simultaneously,” explains Colonel Jon Ragnar Krogstad.
Along with colleagues, Colonel Vidar Borge and Major Geir Bakke he received the "Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal of Merit" this week. This is the second highest award in the Lithuanian Defence.
In the early 90s, the three countries barely had an Air Force at all, they had no expertise within radar systems and lacked necessary infrastructure. The Russians took everything with them when they left, even cables and window frames. Therefore the Norwegian Defence have donated two radars to the Baltic nations, as well as additional air surveillance equipment. Norwegian forces have also built an educational centre, aimed at educating Baltic officers.
Colonel Jonas Marcinkus, Chief of the Lithuanian Air Force, is grateful for the Norwegian contribution. “The Norwegian effort with regards to the development of the radar system has been indisputable. We wish to maintain the current cooperation and develop it further,” he says.
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