Nato plans new air operations center in Europe; Norway in the running
Nato is set to establish a new air operations center in Europe, with Norway emerging as a potential host country. Bodø, Rygge, and Ørland are among the potential locations for the new center, which is expected to create several hundred new jobs.
"We anticipate a decision on the location of the new base within the first half of 2025," said General Major Gjert Lage Dyndal, deputy chief and chief of staff at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) in Bodø.
The new center, a so-called "Combined Air Operations Centre" (CAOC), would join existing Nato facilities in Spain and Germany. The expansion comes in response to Sweden and Finland joining Nato, and follows increased interest in the northern region.
Bodø in the spotlight
Bodø, home to Norway’s Joint Headquarters, has seen heightened Nato activity in recent months. In September, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Bodø, and earlier in December, a U.S.-led delegation from the Joint Forces Command Norfolk paid a visit.
Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, Bodø’s mayor, has been actively lobbying for his city to host the new center. "We believe it’s entirely natural that such a center should be based in the north, linked to the NJHQ," he said.
However, Ole Jensen Maaø, a lecturer at the Norwegian Air Force Academy, points out that factors like workforce availability should be considered. "When deciding where to place such a base, it would be wise to look at where there are more jobs within a given geographical area. Rygge and Ørland might be better options in that regards, as they have larger military presence," he said.
Despite this, Norwegian authorities seem to favor Bodø. In a recent statement, the Norwegian government indicated that Bodø is their preferred choice if Nato decides to establish a new CAOC in Norway.
The new base could bring between 300 to 500 jobs, according to Bodø’s mayor. However, General Major Dyndal estimates that around 400 positions are more likely, taking into account the international makeup of the center’s staff.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
