War may lead to severe environmental destruction, and even military preparations may result in considerable damage. In its environmental effort, the Government emphasises long-term and responsible management of natural resources. Environmental cooperation with other states may contribute to reducing future environmental threats against Norway.
In line with the requirements of making the public sector more effective in general, the Government emphasises the development of the management systems of the Armed Forces. The Ministry has, among other things, began to examine the future activities, management and organisational structures for the materiel commands, The Norwegian Defence Communications and Data Service Administration, and the materiel activities of the Medical Staff in the Headquarters Defence Command.
Modern armed forces require a high level of skills. The restructuring of the Armed Forces has resulted in a temporary cut back in education and training of conscripts. Conscriptive officers must also take part in training and exercises. A certain strengthening and adaptation of the activities of such areas are thus necessary. Simulators, cadre exercises, staff and leadership training will to an increasing degree be utilised. Such equipment contributes to elevate the standard of training and reduces expenditures for training in the field and the effects on the environment.
Frequent exercises of allied reinforcement operations will be emphasised. Training between civilian preparedness and military defence must be carried out regularly. Norwegian units which are part of NATO's reaction forces must annually participate in NATO exercises.
In the coming years, considerable investments in materiel, property, and infrastructure are called for. The necessary modernisation must be carried out in a sober manner. In order to secure balance between materiel and necessary freedom action, the investments are to be aimed where the needs are the greatest. In this regard it is important to secure major offset agreements abroad in order to benefit the Norwegian business community. The management systems and the approaches to materiel procurement must be further developed. The management must continuously be supplied with qualified personnel in order to adequately maintain the investment activities. An annual rotating plan that will coordinate the Armed Forces' property and infrastructure investments will be introduced placing emphasis on projects within a time frame of six years. The value of properties and infrastructure will be taken care of through responsible management and maintenance.
Operations, maintenance, and investments affect each other mutually. In order to seek the most cost effective solutions over time, these factors must be seen in context. There seems to be a considerable saving potential with regard to the management of materiel. Hence, efforts to improve the logistical processes of materiel are well underway.
The Government places emphasis on long term and responsible management of natural resources in its environmental efforts. War may cause serious environmental destruction, and even military preparations may result in considerable damage. On the other hand, excessive environmental abuse may trigger serious conflicts and bring environmental disasters with severe damage to life and health; also in our own country. Environmental cooperation with authorities of other countries may contribute to the reduction of environmental threats against Norway. The Armed Forces can also be an important contributor to civilian society and the strengthening of environmental preparedness and the management of environmental distasters. The Armed Forces are to protect the environment as well as civilian society at large. Existing environmental problems must be reduced and new problems prevented. The comprehensive plan of action of the Armed Forces for the environment will in years to come include a number of follow-up activities.
The Government will continue to upgrade its research and development programmes in order to uphold the needs of the Armed Forces. This activity is to support the overall defence planning, choice of operational and technical solutions, and the implementation of the projects of the Armed Forces.
Topic: The Armed Forces - An Important Contributor to Society
The most important tasks of the Armed Forces relate to times of crisis or war. By taking steps to ensure that they can meet the requirements of these tasks, the Armed Forces also ensure their ability to fulfil a number of other important roles in the community. Armed Forces personnel assist with disaster relief, rescue work, environmental preparedness and the operation of a Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter service. The Armed Forces have a wide variety of peacetime tasks including rescue and salvage operations, the safeguarding of national sovereignty, fishery protection and coastguard duties.
The Armed Forces are also one of the country's largest employers. In some parts of the country this has an important bearing on housing, employment and the local economy. The training given to Armed Forces personnel provides skills from which many businesses in the civil sector have subsequently benefitted. A large part of our defence spending also benefits Norwegian industry either in the form of the day-to-day running of the Armed Forces or by way of investment and offset agreements when purchasing equipment from abroad. Defence research and development projects also play a valuable part in raising the level of quality and expertise both within special sectors of the defence industry and in the field of trade and industry as a whole. The system of military service is based on, and reinforces, values such as collective responsibility and the need for all to pull together if the call should come.
The Armed Forces are constantly developing and changing their structure to enable them to fulfil their primary tasks in the best possible way. This process of development and change may entail both positive and negative implications as perceived by those parts of the community affected. The Defence Establishment endeavours to implement this process of development as sensitively as possible, especially where changes affecting the local economy, housing and employment in more isolated districts are concerned.
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