– We must be prepared
« We lived in a democracy. But – then we noticed that it tightened around us. «
The words belonged to Gunnar Sønsteby and were conveyed to a school class in the industrial hall at Rjukan, reproduced in the film Nr. 24. Even today we live in a more troubled world. The uncertainty characterizes us.
Russia’s cruel warfare against Ukraine is in her fourth year. The war at Gaza has flared up again, tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives. The great rivalry increases and the struggle for control over strategic resources such as energy and minerals creates tensions in the world.
The Defense Commission and the Total Emergency Commission are unanimous and support the message the defense chief has given in his professional military council; It tightens and we have to prepare.
In the summer of 2024, a unanimous Storting adopted a long -term plan aimed at building the Armed Forces significantly in the years to come. In parallel, there is a work to build up civil preparedness, and it is expected that the Storting completes the total preparedness report before the summer.
Since 2022, home defense soldiers have been training Ukrainian soldiers in Norway and the United Kingdom, a work that provides mutual sharing of experience. The veterans contribute greatly to the Home Guard being a modern and powerful strength that also benefits greatly from their local knowledge.
We call this the total defense and it is based on our willingness to defend our values, our freedom and our democracy.
Let’s mark on April 9 – to remind us that what was unthinkable can happen again. To use Sønsteby’s words from the film no. 24: « We noticed that it tightened around us ». Therefore, we must be prepared. Good preparations seem both deterrent and soothing, and reduce the risk of war and conflict.
