The politicians in the Storting could end up with a billion-dollar bill if the Air Force’s technical school center in Kjevik is moved to Værnes. It shows new calculations based on figures from Forsvarsbygg.
Several politicians now believe that there is a need for a new investigation into the seven-year-old parliamentary decision.
“PARKED” AT AKER BRYGGE: A model of the new Norwegian fighter plane F 35 is on display at Aker brygge. Photo: Scanpix
Fighter jets can stay put
Recently, a group of politicians visited the school center in Kristiansand to hear more about the status of the relocation plans. The politicians had caught on to TV 2’s report that the Norwegian Armed Forces’ new combat aircraft, the F35, may be left on the ground if the school center is moved to Værnes.
The reason is that over 80 per cent of the instructors say they will not join the moving load, and thus the Norwegian Armed Forces run the risk of being left without critical personnel who will have the technical operational responsibility for the aircraft.
WANT A NEW INVESTIGATION: A number of politicians want a new investigation into whether moving the school center from Kjevik to Værnes is a good idea or not. Photo: Espen Oscar Olsen / TV 2
Will quit
Martin Fjær Jacobsen has worked at the school center in Kjevik for seven years and he is one of those who will quit if the relocation plans are implemented.
WILL QUIT WHEN MOVED: Martin Fjær Jacobsen is an instructor at the Air Force Technical School Center, Kjevik Photo: Terje Frøyland / TV 2
– As the situation is today, the conditions are not set in place for a proper school center in Værnes, and then there is no fun in continuing with it, says Jacobsen.
A majority in the Storting decided in 2015 that the school center in Kjevik should be moved to Værnes. The background was that they wanted to gather all education in the same place. The relocation plans were estimated to cost NOK 270 million and the move was to take place by 2025.
Towards the billion mark
Seven years after the decision, nothing has happened, other than the creation of a couple of support functions at Værnes in Trondheim. Several different calculations have been made on how much the move will cost. Preben Eikenes, who is the chief shop steward in the Norwegian Association of Officers and Specialists, NOF, explains:
– It is not unrealistic to say that the sum of establishing the school center at Værnes will be between NOK one and two billion. I have calculations that say over NOK two billion, but I also have calculations from my employer of NOK 800 million.
EXCEEDING A BILLION: Preben Eikenes is the chief shop steward in the Norwegian Association of Officers and Specialists. He says a move will cost considerably more than what the politicians decided in 2015. Photo: Espen Oscar Olsen / TV 2
– Tent at Værnes
Eikenes explains why the price is considerably higher than what the politicians were presented in 2015. He points out that you need both a hangar, space for aircraft, military systems and workplaces to screw things up. In addition, there are barracks and other support buildings. In addition, the prices of such installations have risen sharply in price.
– At Værnes, we are likely to be able to get a tent, often called a rubhall or similar. At Kjevik we have a hangar which, yes, is from World War 2, but it has been upgraded with water-borne heat and power outlets and so on.
– When the Minister of Defense comes out and says that we now have to make what we already have work, why should we shut down something that works perfectly? Eikenes asks rhetorically.
Wants a new investigation
Several politicians are now taking the floor to get a new report on the relocation plans. Both the finances of the project and the new security situation in Europe make the relocation plans less relevant and perhaps the whole project should be shelved, believes Åse Michelsen of the Progress Party. She is the county contact for Total Defence.
– It is a new time and we should make a new decision. We do not lose face by daring to reconsider the opinion we had back then.
NO SHAME TO TURN AROUND: Åse Michaelsen is county contact in Total Defense for the Progress Party. Photo: Espen Oscar Olsen / TV 2
Changed assumptions
Ivar Bergenhagen is group leader in Kristiansand Venstre. He says the conditions have changed.
– We see that the decision of seven years ago does not hold up. It seems very sensible to leave the school center in Kjevik. So I think that it might make sense to get more activity at Kjevik than there is today, but an investigation will give an answer to that.
WANT INVESTIGATION: Ivar Bergenhagen is group leader Kristiansand Venstre. Photo: Espen Oscar Olsen / TV 2
Storting representative for the Progress Party and member of the oil and energy committee in the Storting, Marius Arion Nilsen says he will discuss Kjevik’s future with the party leadership.
THE RESOLUTION HAS PASSED ON THE DATE: Marius Arion Nilsen, parliamentary representative for FrP. Photo: Espen Oscar Olsen / TV 2
– The decision from 2015 may have expired. In today’s world and the current situation, it is far from certain that it is wise. We should certainly look at this with new eyes, says Nilsen.
– Madness to move the school centre
Retired colonel in the Home Guard in Agder, Stein Borgersen, has been strongly committed to keeping the school center in Kjevik.
AGAINST THE MOVE PLANS: Retired Home Guard colonel Stein Borgersen believes the school center in Kjevik must remain. Photo: Espen Oscar Olsen / TV 2
– A move of the school center to Værnes would be both irresponsible and, in my opinion, outright madness as the situation in the world is now. In addition, this will cost considerably more than what was planned and this money could rather go to, among other things, ammunition which the Armed Forces badly need.
– Is for assessment
EVALUATING THE OLD MOVEMENT PLANS: Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram says the relocation plans are being considered. Here from a visit to the Home Guard at Kollsnes on Monday 7 November. Photo: Ingrid Wollberg / TV 2
Defense Minister Bjørn Olav Gram tells TV 2 that there are currently no changes to the relocation plans, but that this is under consideration.
– There is no change in the plans now. We have been sent the recommendation from the Norwegian Armed Forces, which is being assessed by the ministry and must come back to that matter in more detail.
