The Nordic countries have further deepened cross-border collaboration with the launch of the Nordic Defence Materiel Agreement. The NDMA aims to strengthen collective security in the region and bolster the joint role played by Nordic states in the international defense and security arena. 

The agreement comes at a times when Nordic governments are implementing increased spending plans for their militaries. Sweden and Norway are moving ahead to affect annual increases to their budgets, with net additional monies being largely directed at bolstering materiel acquisition spending power….

The NDMA is being implemented within the framework of the European Union Defence and Security Procurement Directive and in conjunction with the EU Intra-Community Transfer Directive for defense-related products….

“We are determined to defend Swedish territory, defend Gotland, and exhibit our capability to do so,” Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said. 

“For Sweden, it’s important we show our resolve and determination to potential aggressors, and make it clear that any attack on any part of our territory will prove very costly for them,” Löfven said.

Image: Defense ministers of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway, March 10, 2015 (photo: Jimmy Croona/Swedish Armed Forces)