Norway preparing for property requisitions in wartime

Oslo: Thousands of Norwegians were to receive letters from the military on Monday warning that their homes, vehicles, boats and machinery could be confiscated in case of war.

“The purpose of the requests is to ensure that the armed forces have access to the resources necessary for the defense of the country in the event of a war,” the army said in a statement.

Approximately 13,500 preparation requests will be submitted for 2026.

In a statement, the armed forces said the letters had no practical effect in peacetime, other than informing property owners that the army could seize their property in the event of a conflict.

The request is valid for one year, and about two-thirds of the letters sent in 2026 were renewals from previous years.

“The importance of crisis and war preparedness has increased dramatically in recent years,” Anders Jernberg, head of the army’s logistics organization, said in a statement. he said.
“Norway is experiencing the most serious security policy situation since World War II. Our society must be prepared for security policy crises and, in the worst case, war,” he said. “We are making a major reinforcement of military and civilian readiness.”

Norway, a NATO member and considered the alliance’s eyes and ears in the Arctic, has strengthened its defenses in recent years, like the rest of Europe.

The Scandinavian country shares a maritime border and a 198-kilometer (123-mile) land border with Russia in the Far North.