Author: EMMA BURROWS Associated Press, ABC News
Published on: 29/05/2025 | 04:09:42
AI Summary:
In 1944, Norwegian resistance fighters in Kongsberg blew up a factory making cannons for occupying Nazi German forces during World War II. More than 80 years later, the municipality could once again be a target for sabotage and is preparing for war. In the Nordic nations, governments are boosting defense spending, reassessing security and pushing the concept of total defense. Finland's civil defense shelters are the envy of the Nordics and can fit 86% of the Finnish population. One public shelter in Helsinki can fit 6,000 people, is designed to withstand the fallout from a nuclear attack. Norway and some other Nordic nations tell residents to have enough food and water stored for seven days. In May, local authorities across the region met with the military to plan support for Western troops with logistics and healthcare. By readying for the worst, the municipality also prepares for other — more likely — threats such as a pandemic, extreme weather or power outages such as the one that immobilized Spain and Portugal in April. Authorities in Kongsberg were not always so proactive but a flood in 2007 and an exercise simulating a four-day power disruption in 2016 made them realize they needed to step up Norway chose a Norwegian satellite communications provider over an American competitor. In the Nordics it’s not up to the army to bring in bottles of water in a crisis; rather, there is the “expectation” that local authorities will respond, along with civilians and businesses. "Sabotage has become one of the threats that is now on the radar to an extent that we haven’t seen probably since the Second World War" Even Tvedt, Chief Security Officer at the Kongsberg Group, detailed how an activist tried to destroy engines for fighter jets. It's not always possible to identify motivation or to say if the incidents are separate, linked or just “some kid” flying a drone.
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