Farsund Airport Lista, a former NATO base, could come alive to play a vital role for the Norwegian Armed Forces and for civil and military innovation.

“Our Armed Forces need to broaden their footprint. Agder would be crucial in a conflict scenario, and the Ministry of Defense has not fully recognized how strategically important this region is. Lista is a unique asset for Norway,” says Alf Erik Andersen, Member of Parliament (MP).

He was one of three MPs attending a high-level meeting at Farsund Airport Lista this week. Organized by the Future Defense Industry South project (FFS), which is led by GCE NODE, the meeting also gathered regional and local politicians and industry representatives.

A large group of politicians and business leaders came together to learn more about the activity and potential of Farsund Airport Lista.

Activity at Farsund Airport Lista has grown since the war in Ukraine began, and the Norwegian Armed Forces now rely on the site as a key location for drone training, air defense exercises, and testing of new counter drone technologies.

While two military bases are available for such training, the privately owned airport at Lista is the preferred venue. According to drone unit commander Per Morten Strømmen, Lista offers conditions that are increasingly rare.

“For flying 110 kilo drones at 400 knots, Lista provides the necessary airspace, safety, and proximity to the sea. We enjoy the open airspace and immediate access to the sea,” says Strømmen.

He also emphasizes that weather conditions are far better than in the north, resulting in more days suitable for testing advanced systems.

Drone unit commander Per Morten Strømmen gave a presentation of the exercises his unit does at the airport. From the left: Cathrine Stien (Digin), Geir Hammersmark (Invest in Agder) and Knut Mjåland (GCE NODE).

Both the politicians and the airport’s owners agree that Lista is underutilized. With minimal civilian traffic and extensive existing infrastructure, it represents a rare opportunity to strengthen Norway’s defense posture in Southern Norway while supporting innovation and preparedness.

“Proximity to vital offshore infrastructure, such as fiber cables, power cables, and oil and gas installations, makes us ideal for surveillance, emergency preparedness, and technology development,” says Arne Mikalsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Farsund Airport Lista.

The unique combination of infrastructure and geography is why the FFS project is advocating for a national test and preparedness center at Lista. Establishing a national center would ensure permanent capacity for testing, training, and protecting critical infrastructure, while bringing new activity to a facility built for far more than it is used for today.

“We would like to see a center dedicated to drones, autonomous systems, and maritime critical infrastructure. Farsund Airport Lista could be a key venue for civilian and military innovation,” says Stephen Sayfritz, Project Manager for FFS.

Agder County Mayor Arne Thomassen.
Arne Mikalsen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Farsund Airport Lista showed current plans for the development of the airport.
Left-right: Knut Mjåland (CEO of GCE NODE), Stephen Sayfritz (Project Manager at GCE NODE for the FFS project), drone unit commander Per Morten Strømmen, and Cathrine Stien (CEO of Digin).
Member of Parliament Stian Storbukås and Mayor of Farsund, Ingrid Merethe Williamsen.

 

Four companies pitched as GCE NODE’s Technology Council held its first meeting this week.

The Technology Council was created by GCE NODE to accelerate pilots, partnerships, and investment opportunities between growth companies, industry players, and investors.

During the first meeting, OTEE, SPEO, Antisink, and WaterLinked each delivered a 10‑minute pitch followed by a 15‑minute Q&A session. After each presentation, the council held a short internal discussion behind closed doors before moving on to the next company.

The Technology Council aims to give industry partners early access to new technology, increase the number of pilot projects, and strengthen investment opportunities across the GCE NODE ecosystem. For growth companies, it provides direct exposure to major industrial customers, relevant investors, and public funding instruments.

Senior executives from a large group of companies have a seat on the council. Among them are Umoe Mandal, Nekkar, SLB, NOV, AMV, Origo Solutions, Future Production, HMH, and Nymo, alongside investors from Skagerak Capital, Oxidane Venture, and Baruss Kapital.

“The Technology Council is a high‑impact arena for matching industry needs with innovative solutions. It will meet four times per year, each time carefully selecting which companies will be allowed to pitch for the council,” says Stephen Sayfritz, Project Manager at GCE NODE.

Having served as a Business Policy Advisor for the Kristiansand Chamber of Commerce, Tina McDougall now rejoins GCE NODE as a Project Manager.

“I am very excited to be back! My interest has always been in the offshore sector, and I look forward to working more within this field,” says McDougall.

Three years ago, she spent time with GCE NODE as part of the Trainee Sør program. After completing the program, McDougall joined the Kristiansand Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked with business policy for the last two and a half years.

At GCE NODE, McDougall will be heavily involved in the cluster’s major projects within oil and gas, offshore wind and defense.

“We are very pleased to welcome Tina back to GCE NODE. She made a very good impression as a trainee and she has also done great work for the region in her other capacities,” says Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.

Tina McDougall is a 29-year-old native of Andøy in Nordland County, but she has lived in Grimstad and Kristiansand for the last ten years.