The purpose of the Agder Defense Industry Dialogue meeting in Kristiansand was to explore how the Agder region can contribute to this fast-growing industry.
“Over the next ten years, Norway has committed to spending NOK 1,624 billion on its defense. This presents tremendous business opportunities for companies in our region. We should collaborate and expand partnerships to qualify and succeed as suppliers,” said Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.
With growing geopolitical tensions and an ambitious long-term defense plan unanimously adopted by the Norwegian Parliament, the need for strategic industrial partnerships has never been greater.
A MARITIME SUPERPOWER
State Secretary Marte Gerhardsen highlighted Norway’s maritime dominance and the importance of standardized naval vessels, urging regional companies to seize.
“Norway is a maritime superpower. Our country is 7 parts water and 1 part land, and most of our resources are in the water. We are a huge supplier of gas to Europe and the world’s second largest supplier of seafood. We have the world’s second longest coastline, and the world’s fifth largest fleet measured by value. We are of course going to maintain and strengthen our maritime capabilities,” said Gerhardsen.
She provided insight into the Norwegian defense procurement strategy, which calls for close cooperation with other allies and for making use of competence and technology from the civilian sector.
“Our vessels should be built as civilian as possible and as military as necessary,” said Gerhardsen.
281 NORWEGIAN SUPPLIERS
Experts from the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt) and the Norwegian Defense Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) stressed the importance of meeting technical and sustainability requirements.
Last year, 281 Norwegian suppliers were paid a total of NOK 5.5 billion from the Materiel Agency. Among them were Kitron, Umoe Mandal, Oskar Pedersen, and more – companies that shared their success stories to illustrate the value of long-term planning, niche expertise, and strategic alliances.
“We cannot do everything ourselves. Success in this industry relies on strong partnerships with suppliers. It’s a tough market with low margins, but long-term contracts give us the stability to think many years ahead. That kind of security is invaluable,” said Tom Fidjeland, CEO of Umoe Mandal.
Tom Ivar Stie, Senior Adviser at FSi – an organization advocating the interests of the Norwegian Defence and Security Industrie – addressed the aspiring suppliers to the defense industry.
“You may ask yourselves: Where do we start? I suggest looking at the Norwegian fleet plan – it fits the Agder industry well. Just remember that the competition will be fierce and that some of your competitors have already served the industry for decades,” said Stie.
GREAT CROWD-SIZE
120 people turned out for the dialogue meeting. The large number of participants came as a surprise to many, including Kim Steinsland, Managing Director at Scanmatic – a company that has been a supplier to the defense industry since 1971.
“Ten years ago, this could have been the crowd size at a national conference. Today, we are all from the Agder region. The industry has grown considerably,” said Steinsland.
Agder Defense Industry Dialogue was hosted by GCE NODE, Digin, LO Agder, NHO Agder, Kristiansand Municipality, and Kristiansand Chamber of Commerce.
