Nordenland Defense Forces
| Nordenic Defense Forces | |
|---|---|
| Forsvarsmakt | |
 | |
| Motto | "Til Valhall" (To Valhalla) |
| Founded | 872 (As Leidang) |
| Current form | 2015 |
| Service branches | |
| Headquarters | Nordenic Joint Headquarters, Bodin |
| Website | Official Website |
| Leadership | |
| Monarch | Queen Helena III |
| Prime Minister | Elisabeth Marie Debakke |
| Minister of Defence | Sigurd Johansson |
| Defense Chief | General Johan Henrik Aasheim |
| Personnel | |
| Military age | 19-44 (55 for officers) |
| Conscription | 19-month service obligation |
| Available for military service |
|
| Fit for military service |
|
| Reaching military age annually |
|
| Active personnel | 67,000 (ranked 30) |
| Reserve personnel | 120,000 |
| Deployed personnel | 2,000 |
| Expenditure | |
| Budget | Budget 252.68 billion NKR ~ 22.93 billion US-Dollar (2024) |
| Percent of GDP | 4% (2024) |
| Industry | |
| Domestic suppliers | |
| Foreign suppliers | |
| Related articles | |
| History |
|
| Ranks | Military ranks and insignia of Nordenland |
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The Nordenland Defense Forces (Nordenic: Forsvarsmakt, lit. "Defense Forces") are the combined military forces of the Kingdom of Nordenland. It consists of six branches: the Royal Nordenic Army, the Royal Nordenic Navy (including the Coast Guard), the Royal Nordenic Air Force, the Home Guard, the Cyber Defense Force, and the Special Forces, along with several joint operational departments.
The military force in peacetime comprises approximately 67,000 personnel, including military and civilian staff, and expands to around 150,000 personnel in total during full mobilization, including conscripts and the Home Guard.
Among European NATO members, Nordenland's military expenditure of US$22.93 billion (4% of GDP) is one of the highest per capita.
History
Main article: Military history of Nordenland
Origins
The Nordenland Defense Forces originated in the 9th century during the reign of King Harald I Halfdansson (Harald Fairhair). The military system was initially based on the Leidang, a naval levy requiring coastal communities to provide ships, crews, and supplies for defense and maritime operations. The Battle of Hafrsfjord (872) marked the establishment of the kingdom’s first unified military structure under Harald's rule.
During the Viking Age, the Leidang supported Nordenland’s territorial expansion across the North Atlantic, including Snøland, Grønland, and Fårholmene, while providing defense against external threats. By the 10th century, it had evolved into a structured system for mobilizing both naval and land forces.
The introduction of Christianity in the 11th century brought increased centralization of the military. By the 13th century, the Leidang system transitioned toward a standing military force, supported by permanent coastal fortifications and regional garrisons. Key locations for defense included Nidaros (modern Kalda) and Hålogaland.
The modern structure of the Nordenland Defense Forces began with the adoption of the Eidsvoll Constitution in 1814, formalizing a professional army and navy. The integration of Snøland, Fårholmene, and Grønland reinforced the need for a unified defense system, leading to the establishment of a centralized military command.
An organized military in Nordenland was first assembled in the 9th century, with an early focus on naval warfare to protect the kingdom’s vast territories, including Snøland, Grønland, and Fårholmene. The modern Nordenic Army was formally established in 1814 following the adoption of the Eidsvoll Constitution, marking Nordenland’s shift into a Modern Country. While the military did not engage in major conflicts for over a century, it saw combat during the German invasion of Nordenland in 1940, which led to the royal family and government fleeing into exile.
World Wars
Cold War
Gulf War
In 1949, Nordenland abandoned its neutrality to become a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). During the Cold War, Nordenland heavily fortified its Arctic and North Atlantic territories, building significant military infrastructure in Hålogaland and Grønland to counter Soviet threats. Since the 2000s, the Nordenic Defense Force has shifted from a territorial defense focus to a modern, mobile force capable of participating in international missions.
In 1990, Nordenland participated in the Gulf War as part of the coalition forces, contributing naval and logistical support.
Following the terrorist attacks in 2011 and 2015, Nordenland intensified its involvement in the Global War on Terror. The attacks, which targeted civilian areas and caused significant casualties, prompted the government to adopt a proactive stance in international counterterrorism operations. Nordenic forces were deployed in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and later the Resolute Support Mission, contributing combat troops, special forces, and logistical support.
In 2021, Nordenland withdrew its combat units from Afghanistan, marking the end of over two decades of military operations aimed at combating global terrorism.
The Armed Forces
The formal commander-in-chief is Queen Helena III; however, the de facto supreme decision-making authority lies with the Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister. The Chief of Defence (a four-star general or admiral) serves as the professional head and leader of the Nordenland Defense Force and acts as the principal military adviser to the Minister of Defence. The Chief of Defence and their staff are based at the Akershus Fortress in Kalda, while the Nordenland Joint Headquarters, responsible for commanding operations, is located at Bodin.
The primary naval base for surface combatants is Haakonsvern in Bjørgvin, while Olavsvern, near Tromsø, serves as the primary base for submarines. The Army's HQ is situated at Heggelia Leir, with the largest army camp in the north being Sætermyr Garnison and the largest in the south being Renna Garrison.
The main air station is Alfens Air Station, serving as the hub for aerial support missions, while Hlymrek Air Station functions as the primary hub for combat aircraft operations. Reykheimar Air Station serves as the headquarters for the Royal Nordenic Air Force.
Conscription
Conscription was constitutionally established on 17 May 1814 with Konungerikt Noræges Grunnlov § 122. Nordenland employs a comprehensive system of mandatory military service for both men and women. While approximately 90,000 individuals were called in for the examination of persons liable for military service in 2023, around 25,000 were conscripted. In practice, recruits are not forced to serve; instead, only those who demonstrate motivation and meet the selection criteria are chosen.
In earlier times, up until at least the mid-1990s, all men aged 19–44 were subject to mandatory service, with strong justification required to avoid being drafted.
Since 1985, women have been able to enlist voluntarily for regular service. On 20 March 1995, the Nordenic Parliament voted to extend conscription to women, making Nordenland the first NATO member and European country to mandate compulsory service for both genders. By 2020, women made up 40% of new conscripts.
There is a right to conscientious objection.
Students of professional subjects (e.g., doctors, engineers, pharmacists) may serve their conscription after completing their studies. This arrangement, known as Conscript Academic Officer (Vernepliktige akademikere), allows them to complete a short officer training program and serve as lieutenants in their respective fields.