Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said that “the army from tomorrow will increase its readiness”, adding that the country was facing “the most serious political security situation in decades”. But Støre maintained no direct threat to Norway, a NATO member that shares a border with Russia in the Arctic, had been identified. “We have no reason today to believe that Russia wants to drag Norway or any other country directly into war, but the war in Ukraine makes it necessary for all NATO countries to be more cautious,” he said during a news conference on Monday. According to Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram, raising the military alert level will mean taking corresponding measures in logistics, communications and security. Oslo will also seek to bring its new fleet of US-made P-8 Poseidon anti-submarine warfare aircraft into service sooner than originally planned. The heightened alert level will take effect from Tuesday. Norway’s move comes amid growing concerns that the country’s energy infrastructure could be under threat. Oslo has increased security around its offshore oil and gas rigs after mysterious flying drones were spotted flying near strategic locations in recent weeks. This followed the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the neighboring Baltic Sea. The Norwegian military was deployed to protect this critical energy infrastructure in September, with Oslo receiving support from British, Dutch, French and German armed forces. Norway has become Europe’s top natural gas supplier after Russia cut supplies and national governments tried to wean themselves off Russian energy following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. It now accounts for around a quarter of all EU gas imports. In recent weeks, several Russians have been arrested in Norway for illegally flying drones over the territory or violating bans on taking photos in sensitive areas. Norway has already significantly increased its military budget and intelligence efforts in the High North, where it shares a 120-mile border with Russia. “The continuation of the war in Ukraine, the efforts to weaken Russia [international] Supporting Ukraine means that all countries in Europe must consider themselves exposed to hybrid threats. Including Norway,” Norwegian Prime Minister Støre told reporters. He said people will not experience major changes in their lives as a result of the heightened military alert. “I don’t think people will see big changes because of this [security tightening] in their daily lives. It revolves around our military equipment, personnel and the way they set up their operations,” Støre told a TV 2 reporter. “It will be visible along the coast and at land-based installations where there is now a Home Guard presence,” he added. “You might also see the military in relation to transport and exercises… But like I said, I don’t ‘Don’t think that’s going to be a very visible element in everyday life.’
