Summary:

The High North is an area of great possibilities. However, the magnitude of natural resources combined with a number of unsolved issues in the region may lead to conflicts.

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to analyze the role of the Norwegian Armed Forces during a potential crisis in the High North, and the prospect and significance of allied assistance.

The disagreement on various aspects of the Svalbard Treaty between Russia and Norway form the foundation of two fictitious conflict scenarios in this paper. The first scenario deals with the Norwegian management regime in the Fisheries Protection Zone, and the second with Norwegian jurisdiction on Svalbard. I have analyzed how military assets may contribute to crisis prevention and management, focusing on three functions: presence, situational awareness, and signal effect. I have also discussed to what degree allied help would be desirable and possible.

Despite the fact that the Norwegian Armed Forces is small, it can contribute considerably to effective crisis prevention and management with its highly capable and technologically advanced platforms,sensors and communication network. However, in parts of the High North, a number of military assets will experience some limitations. This may reduce the ability to contribute effectively to crises prevention and management.

Allied assistance was during the Cold War the cornerstone in the defence of Norway. With a changed geopolitical situation and a changed NATO the prospect of allied assistance seems to be reduced. However, there is an initiative within NATO for a standing defence force to underpin the collective defence of the alliance. Even though the smaller and more flexible Norwegian Armed Forces may be capable of reacting quickly to a crisis of national security, it may be argued that it is too small to withstand any major aggression long enough for allied assistance to arrive.