Preparing for war in space

In Munich he met the head of the US Space Force, the military force for outer space.

– We discussed how we can cooperate on launching satellites, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.

In recent days, the shooting down of flying objects over the USA has been in the news. Many countries have “spy balloons” to carry out surveillance and intelligence. Over 70 countries have activities in space. Eventually it starts to get both cramped and more and more weapons in the room.

– Will Norway also be exposed to “spy balloons”?

– There are huge numbers of balloons that are sent up every day. I think the vast majority are for civilian purposes, but they can also be used for surveillance and intelligence. So it is important that we follow our air and are aware that others can also use this type of capacity, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram to TV2.

Into space

During the Munich Security Conference, he met General Bradley Chance Saltzman. He is commander of the United States Space Force, the American military operations in space.

This branch of the US Armed Forces was created in December 2019. The first expansion of military branches in 73 years. Saltzman is the second-in-command of the US Space Force.

Dominance over space becomes important during any future warfare.

– How militarized is space becoming?

– Satellites are used for both civil and military purposes. We need to communicate better and have better monitoring options, and then it is important that a modern future-oriented defense has access to good satellite communication.

– Norway can contribute

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has repeatedly emphasized how important defense in space has become. In 2019, NATO declared outer space an operational area. Both Russia and China have developed and tested weapons technology intended for space. China has proven that it can tow alien satellites.

During the meeting, Gram and General Saltzman discussed how cooperation on military activity in space can be expanded between Norway and the USA.

– Can Norway contribute in this area internationally?

– Absolutely, because we have important competence environments and facilities in Norway. Not least with Andøya Space. There is a unique capacity for launching satellites in the northern regions. Here, Norway has something to contribute in future allied cooperation on space.

Gram says the Americans are interested in developing further cooperation with Norway, for how it can be facilitated for satellite launches from Andøya.

– With American satellites?

– Andøya will be a very nice location for international satellite launches.

New strategy for artificial intelligence

Defense Minister Gram has had a busy week. First two days at the NATO meeting in Brussels. A number of defense ministers traveled on to the Netherlands to discuss artificial intelligence and how it can be used militarily.

– Artificial intelligence is going to fundamentally change our entire society. It is a technological development that also affects the Armed Forces. We will eventually have a fully digitized defense and then artificial intelligence can help us make better decisions, collect large amounts of data and make us better able to defend ourselves.

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There are critical voices, including Amnesty International, against using artificial intelligence for military purposes.

– I don’t think we can ban it, but it is very important that artificial intelligence is used responsibly in the defense sector.

Gram wants rules and guidelines, also internationally. The ministry is in the process of finalizing a strategy for artificial intelligence.

Close German cooperation

In Munich, Norway and Germany also signed a new cooperation agreement.

– Germany is an important cooperation partner and is becoming even more important. We have bought tanks from Germany and have signed an agreement in Munich. It follows up that purchase with closer cooperation on land forces between Norway and Germany,