Image: Sondre Mosdal / Forsvaret
Norway has formally established three new subdivisions within the Finnmark Brigade, bolstering its military presence near the Russian border. Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik attended a ceremony at Porsangmoen to mark the occasion, as per a recent press statement.
The Artillery Battalion, Anti-Aircraft Battery and Joint Company now have staff, initial troops and some equipment in place. Officials say the move responds directly to Russia’s war against Ukraine and a deteriorating security situation in the region.
The Artillery Battalion operates the K9 Vidar system, a Norwegian variant of the K9 Thunder. It currently offers a range exceeding 40 kilometres, with future Ramjet-propelled ammunition expected to extend that beyond 120 kilometres. Four K9 Vidar guns and support vehicles already sit at Porsangmoen, and 24 more units are due for delivery during 2028.
The Army says it is ahead of schedule on establishing the battalion, crediting timely political decisions and existing expertise within Brigade Nord.
Finnmark Brigade construction should conclude by 2033, eventually reaching around 4,000 personnel including conscripts and reservists. Permanent staff numbers have grown from 280 at the brigade’s 2025 founding to roughly 350 today, with plans to reach 700-800 by 2033.
Brigadier John Olav Fuglem, Commander of the Finnmark Brigade, commented: “This is a day of joy for the Finnmark Brigade. We have become a brigade, with increased presence and better ability to solve missions.” He added that faster, cheaper construction of barracks and facilities remains urgent.
Minister Sandvik added: “We are now building up the Armed Forces and strengthening Norway’s defence capability… this is a milestone.”
The brigade forms part of Norway’s strategy to defend its territory “from the first meter,” working alongside allied and joint operational forces.
Learn more here
(The image is only an illustration to show the K9 artillery system that is already in place in the north.)
