NATO Military Committee chief visits Norway to discuss Nordic air defense capabilities

Europe, News September 16, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer visited Norway on September 14-15, 2023 to hold meetings with Norwegian defense leaders and discuss the Alliance air capabilities amid increasing threats from Russia.

The NATO Military Committee chief visited Norway at the invitation of the country’s defense chief General Eirik Kristoffersen. During his visit, Admiral Bauer met with Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, and Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.

Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Bauer also traveled to Ørland air base, home to Norway’s F-35 fighter jets. In Ørland, he was welcomed by Norway’s Defense Chief Gen. Kristoffersen and Chief of the Air Force Major General Rolf Folland.

The airbase houses Norway’s F-35As, the Air Defense Battalion, and search and rescue helicopters, as well as equipped to host NATO’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

While in Ørland, Admiral Bauer was briefed on “Norway’s approach to Nordic air defense”, enhancing cooperation with Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, and reinforcing its air capabilities and plans.

According to the NATO statement, Admiral Bauer and Norway’s Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram discussed the Alliance’s regional plans and NATO’s collective defense. Admiral Bauer said, “The plans agreed in Vilnius Plans will impact the development of all our armed forces for decades to come. Never before have NATO and national defense plans been so closely interlinked.”

Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer in Norway — ^{Norwegian Chief of Defense General Eirik Kristoffersen, Chief of the Norwegian Air Force Major General Rolf Folland, and Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer at the Ørland air base, in Norway. (Image Credit: NATO)}

Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Bauer added, “We are taking bold steps to further strengthen our deterrence and defense posture but a strong collective defense must be underpinned by even stronger national defense.”

While Admiral Rob Bauer was attending the Military Committee Conference in Oslo, the decision was taken by the NATO Chiefs of Defense to extend his mandate for an extra 6 months. According to the NATO statement, “The NATO Chiefs of Defence cited the need for continuity of leadership in a volatile security climate and amidst the largest reinforcement of the Alliance’s collective defense since the Cold War.”

In response to the decision, Admiral Bauer stated: “I am honored and humbled by the continued trust that the Allied Chiefs of Defence have placed in me. I will do my utmost to keep unifying north, south, east, west, large, and small within our Alliance. And to actively reach out to NATO’s Partners around the world. Always building on the fundamental belief that there is so much more that unites us, than what divides us. And that we are truly stronger together.”