The Norwegian government has decided that the planning of a new facility for military explosives will be conducted as a state regulatory plan. The decision is justified by the national interest in ensuring delivery capability to NATO and allied forces. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is appointed as the responsible planning authority.
The background to the decision is that the project is considered to be of significant importance to Norway's national interests, according to a communiqué from the government. The government points out that there are conflicts of interest between local, regional, and national levels as well as different sector interests, which require a swift and coordinated process. The initiative is supported by the municipality of Asker, which itself has requested that a state plan be applied.
According to Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik, the war in Ukraine has fundamentally changed the security policy situation, which places higher demands on the defence industry.
– The production of high-performance explosives is crucial for maintaining the defence capability of both Norwegian and allied forces. The government's priority is to quickly strengthen Norway's defence capability. We have no time to lose, says Sandvik in a statement.
The focus of the expansion is the company Chemring Nobel in Asker (southern Norway), which the government describes as one of the few European manufacturers with the capacity to produce military explosives. According to the government, the current shortage of explosives leads to bottlenecks in weapons production, which risks undermining NATO's strategic deterrence capability.
– Chemring Nobel and the state are conducting assessments regarding the establishment of a new facility. This will help meet the need for explosives among European allies and NATO, says Defence Minister Sandvik.
In the next step, the administrative authority Forsvarsbygg (Norwegian Defence Estates Agency) will prepare a draft plan programme, which will then be sent for consultation. The programme will describe relevant alternatives and determine which impact assessments are required.
Among the factors to be investigated are the impact on the environment, outdoor activities, noise levels, and emissions. The government emphasises that there will be close dialogue between the state and the municipality of Asker during the process, but that the time factor is decisive.
– The project aims to strengthen Norway's and NATO's defence capability in wartime and contribute to credible and effective deterrence in peacetime, concludes Tore O. Sandvik.