Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik has inaugurated Camp Sleipner at Værnes garrison in Trøndelag (central Norway). The facility is intended to strengthen Norway's capacity to receive and support allied forces during exercises, crises, and war.
According to a press release from Forsvarsbygg (Norwegian Defence Estates Agency), Camp Sleipner was established in cooperation with the Norwegian Armed Forces (Forsvaret) and has been operational since December 2025. The facility was used by, among others, American soldiers during the exercise Cold Response 26.
"Camp Sleipner concretely demonstrates Norway's readiness and capacity to receive allied forces. The camp strengthens our role in NATO, particularly with Finland and Sweden as new members," says Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
According to Army Chief Major General Lars Lervik, the facility forms part of the ongoing work to strengthen NATO's capacity to reinforce Norway and the Nordic region.
"The establishment of an allied reception centre at Værnes is an important element in enabling allied reinforcements to Norway and the Nordic region in times of crisis and war. Together with our new reception centres in Troms (northern Norway) and at Rena (eastern Norway), it strengthens the credibility of NATO's defence planning," says Lars Lervik.
Camp Sleipner consists of nine insulated hall buildings, including accommodation, sanitary facilities, and storage space. The facility has a capacity of approximately 800 personnel but can, according to Forsvarsbygg, be scaled up or relocated as required. The total area amounts to 8,200 square metres, and the investment is reported to have totalled 68 million Norwegian kroner.
Forsvarsbygg further states that Camp Sleipner is based on the same standardised concept as several other allied reception facilities established in Norway in recent years.