Headline:
Norway‘s New Civil Defense Plan: Boosting Bomb Shelters Amid Global Uncertainty
Article:
Norway’s government is set to introduce a new proposal today, with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labour) and Minister of Justice and Emergency Preparedness Emilie Enger Mehl (Centre Party) presenting a fresh approach to civil defense. The core focus? Bolstering the nation’s bomb shelter infrastructure, a decade after construction halted in 1998.
The Ukraine war has highlighted the life-saving potential of bomb shelters, and the Norwegian government is now eager to follow suit. Mehl notes, "The world has become more uncertain, and we must ensure the safety of our civilian population in case of a ‘worst-case scenario’ involving war or armed attacks."
NRK gained access to a bomb shelter under Oslo’s St. Hanshaugen, where sivilforsvarsadjutant Rune Larsen shared details of the proposed shelters. These fall into two categories: advanced shelters capable of withstanding chemical, radioactive, and high-explosive threats, complete with water supplies, air filtration systems, and backup power; and simpler shelters serving as protection from conventional weapons, which could include repurposed underground structures like parking garages or subway tunnels.
Large-scale buildings, both public and private, exceeding 1,000 square meters, will be required to include bomb shelters. This includes upcoming projects like Drammenshus, a new hospital in Drammen currently under construction without such provisions. Mehl acknowledged that costs, estimated at around 30,000 Norwegian krone per person-place, will ultimately be passed on to those purchasing newly built apartments after 2026.
While recognizing the need for enhanced civil defense, officials from Boligprodusentenes forening (the Association of Property Developers) urge caution, citing the already high cost of new housing. "It’s crucial that this isn’t an additional burden on each individual housing project," warns top executive Lars Jacob Hiim.
The Ukraine conflict has sparked a renewed interest in civil defense preparedness in Norway, leading Mehl to conclude, "We’ve learned a lot about how a modern war looks, and how vital bomb shelters and safe havens are for protecting civilians. It’s something we must include in Norway’s future preparedness."
The article was originally published on 10.01.2025 at 06:29.
