Although the Norwegian military intelligence today is characterized by more active espionage in war-zones where Norwegian soldiers are involved, the activity in the north is still of high priority.
The budget allocation to the Intelligence service has increased with 35 percent from 2005 till today, from NOK 690 million (€86 million) to NOK 930 million (€116 million), Aftenposten reports. Norwegian intelligence is partly active in Afghanistan, Chad, Somalia, Sudan, Kosovo, Egypt, Bosnia, Congo and the Middle East, areas where Norway has soldiers and officers.
In the High North, the most visible part of the Norwegian intelligence is the Globus-II radar in Vardø and the intelligence service’s research vessel ”F/S Marjata.” Vardø is Norway’s most easternmost location in the Varanger fjord, just opposite Russia’s Fishermen’s Peninsula. “F/S Marjata” has been sailing the Barents Sea since 1995, according to the portal of the Norwegian intelligence service.
According to Aftenposten, F/S Marjata is getting ready for replacement.
Read also: New spy-sub operates in northern waters
There are many secrets regarding the Norwegian Intelligence Service (NIS). The service itself has a short introduction to its goals at the NIS web portal. You can read that the NIS collects, processes and analyses information relevant to Norwegian interests; information on other states, organizations and individuals.
The headquarters of the service is located at Lutvann, just outside Oslo, but the NIS web portal also says there are a number of other land-based collection sites other places in Norway.
Head of NIS, Lieutenant General Kjell Grandhagen confirms to Aftenposten that the Northern areas are important for the Intelligence service.
Russia has large naval installations and other military installations on the Kola Peninsula, close to the Norwegian border.
Read also: Coast guards will exchange electronic information
