Norway has warned thousands of its citizens that, in the event of an armed conflict with Russia, the state may be forced to requisition private homes, vehicles, and other assets for military use. Authorities say the current international climate requires a level of preparedness not seen in decades. According to the Norwegian Armed Forces, approximately 13,500 letters have been sent to selected citizens informing them that certain properties, cars, boats, and machinery could be seized if the security situation deteriorates.
The aim, military officials said, is to ensure that the armed forces have access to the resources necessary to defend the country. Officials stressed that the requisition policy is valid for one year and is not entirely new for many Norwegians, as similar notices have been issued in previous years. However, the scope of the current warnings reflects a clear shift in how national security risks are being assessed. Anders Jernberg, head of the military’s logistics organization, said the importance of being prepared for crisis and war has increased dramatically in recent years.
He emphasized that advance planning is now a strategic necessity rather than a precautionary measure. Norwegian authorities believe the country is facing its most serious security situation since the Second World War. In this context, they argue that society as a whole must be ready to confront security crises and, in the worst-case scenario, war, prompting a broad buildup of military and civilian preparedness. Norway shares both a land and a maritime border with Russia, a geographic reality that heightens its exposure to tensions in northern Europe.
At the same time, Russia and China are seeking to expand their presence in the Arctic, a strategically vital region where melting ice has opened new shipping routes and revived military interest. Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik warned that Russia is significantly strengthening its military infrastructure on the Kola Peninsula, home to one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals. He said these weapons are not only aimed at Norway, but also at the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
The Norwegian warnings come amid broader strains within NATO, fueled by the war in Ukraine and recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Greenland. This backdrop has increased political and economic uncertainty across Europe, reinforcing concerns that the continent is entering a period of heightened strategic instability.
