Norway Defense Industry numbers have shifted fast enough that the 2025 snapshot looks different from what many people assume about the country’s defense footprint. Defense procurement and spending pressures are visible in the latest figures, yet the biggest surprises often sit in the details behind each program. This post lines up the key statistics so you can see exactly where the momentum is coming from.
Key Takeaways
- Norway's defense budget allocated NOK 85 billion in 2023, 1.7% of GDP
- Norway's defense industry employed 18,500 people directly in 2022
- Norway exported NOK 12.4 billion worth of defense materiel in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace produced 1,200 Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) units in 2023 for domestic and export markets
- Norway's defense R&D expenditure reached NOK 5.2 billion in 2022
Norway’s defense industry is strengthening with steady production growth and rising export demand.
Related reading
01 · Category
Budget and Finance30 stats
01
Norway's defense budget allocated NOK 85 billion in 2023, 1.7% of GDP
02
Kongsberg Gruppen defense revenue: NOK 25.4 billion in 2022
03
Nammo turnover from defense products: NOK 6.3 billion in 2023
04
Norwegian government procurement from domestic industry: NOK 40 billion in 2022
05
Defense industry EBITDA margin: 12.5% average in 2023
06
Kongsberg capex on new production lines: NOK 3.2 billion in 2022
07
Export financing via GIEK insured NOK 10 billion defense deals 2023
08
Nammo's profit after tax: NOK 850 million from defense in 2022
09
Norwegian MoD R&D funding to industry: NOK 4.5 billion in 2023
10
Kongsberg order backlog: NOK 60 billion, 70% defense related 2022
11
Industry tax contributions from defense: NOK 5.1 billion in 2023
12
Nammo equity ratio: 45% supported by defense contracts 2022
13
Government subsidies to defense R&D: NOK 1.8 billion via SkatteFUNN 2023
14
Kongsberg dividend payout from defense profits: NOK 2.1 billion 2022
15
Total venture capital in Norwegian defense tech: NOK 1.2 billion 2023
16
Nammo investment grade rating maintained due to NOK 7 billion backlog 2022
17
Defense cluster funding: NOK 500 million from Innovation Norway 2023
18
Kongsberg net debt to EBITDA: 1.2x after defense investments 2022
19
EU defense fund allocations to Norwegian firms: €250 million 2023
20
Nammo cash flow from operations: NOK 1.4 billion defense-driven 2022
21
Industry ROI on defense contracts: 18% average in 2023
22
Government long-term contracts value: NOK 50 billion pipeline 2022
23
Kongsberg R&D tax incentives claimed: NOK 600 million 2023
24
Defense export revenues contribution to GDP: 0.4% or NOK 18 billion 2022
25
Nammo facility expansions cost: NOK 1.5 billion funded 2023
26
Total industry assets in defense: NOK 120 billion in 2022
27
Pension funding for defense workers: NOK 15 billion reserves 2023
28
Kongsberg share price rose 20% on defense orders, market cap NOK 150 billion 2022
29
Nammo revenue growth: 22% to NOK 7.5 billion driven by exports 2023
30
Cluster investment returns: NOK 4.2 billion economic multiplier 2022
Interpretation
Budget and Finance Interpretation
Norway's modest 1.7% of GDP defense budget has proven to be a remarkably shrewd national investment, generating a robust, export-driven industrial complex where for every crown spent, the state sees a substantial return in corporate profits, tax revenue, secure jobs, and cutting-edge technological sovereignty.
02 · Category
Employment and Labor27 stats
01
Norway's defense industry employed 18,500 people directly in 2022
02
Kongsberg Gruppen had 10,200 employees in defense sector in 2023, up 5% from 2022
03
Nammo employed 2,800 workers across Norwegian facilities in 2022
04
Norwegian defense industry created 5,200 indirect jobs through supply chain in 2023
05
Raufoss industrial park hosts 1,200 defense-related jobs in ammunition production
06
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace workforce grew by 400 engineers in 2022
07
25% of Norway's defense workforce are women, totaling 4,600 in 2023
08
FFI (Defence Research Establishment) employs 750 scientists and engineers in 2022
09
Thales Norway has 450 employees focused on avionics in Horten facility 2023
10
Defense industry apprenticeships trained 1,200 young workers in 2022
11
Nammo Raufoss plant employs 1,100 in manufacturing roles in 2023
12
Kongsberg Maritime defense division has 2,500 employees in sonar production 2022
13
Average salary in Norwegian defense industry: NOK 750,000 annually in 2023
14
15% increase in STEM graduates entering defense sector, 3,000 hires in 2022
15
Terma Norway employs 200 in radar development in Vestre Askerøysverft 2023
16
Defense SMEs employ 4,500 across 150 companies in Norway 2022
17
Kongsberg recruited 250 software developers for defense systems in 2023
18
Unemployment rate in defense hubs like Kongsberg: 1.8% in 2022
19
Nammo trained 500 new production workers in safety protocols 2023
20
Norwegian defense industry labor productivity: NOK 2.1 million per employee in 2022
21
30% of workforce over 50 years old, prompting 1,000 retirements planned 2023-2025
22
Patria Norway partners employ 300 in vehicle maintenance 2022
23
Defense sector union membership: 85% of 18,500 workers in 2023
24
Kongsberg invested NOK 1.2 billion in workforce upskilling programs 2022
25
FFI hired 100 PhDs in AI and cyber defense in 2023
26
Regional employment: 40% in Eastern Norway, 6,000 jobs in 2022
27
Overtime hours in defense production averaged 150 per worker in 2023 due to export demands
Interpretation
Employment and Labor Interpretation
Norway's defense industry, while a robust employer of over 18,500 souls directly, seems to be running on a potent mix of overtime, strategic recruitment, and the quiet dread of 1,000 impending retirements, proving that national security is as much about engineering talent as it is about engineering missiles.
03 · Category
Exports and Trade28 stats
01
Norway exported NOK 12.4 billion worth of defense materiel in 2022, a 15% increase from 2021
02
Kongsberg Gruppen secured $1.2 billion in NSM exports to Poland in 2023
03
Nammo exported 300,000 artillery shells to Ukraine via NATO in 2022 valued at NOK 3 billion
04
Norwegian arms exports to Australia reached NOK 2.5 billion for NASAMS in 2023
05
Exports of ammunition from Norway totaled NOK 5.8 billion in 2022, 40% of total defense exports
06
Kongsberg JSM exports to Japan amounted to $500 million contract in 2023
07
Nammo's exports to the US defense market were NOK 1.1 billion in 2022
08
Norwegian radar systems exported to Baltic states valued at NOK 800 million in 2023
09
Defense imports to Norway were NOK 4.2 billion in 2022, mainly from US and Sweden
10
Kongsberg exported 200 PROTECTOR RWS to US Army Stryker brigades for $300 million in 2022
11
Nammo signed NOK 1.5 billion export deal for 120mm mortar ammo to Canada in 2023
12
Norwegian exports of naval systems reached NOK 3.1 billion to European NATO allies in 2022
13
Imports of F-35 components by Norwegian industry totaled NOK 2.8 billion in 2023
14
Kongsberg NSM exports to Germany under Eurofighter deal worth NOK 4 billion in 2023
15
Nammo exported 100,000 small arms ammo to UK for NOK 450 million in 2022
16
Defense trade surplus for Norway was NOK 8.2 billion in 2022
17
Exports to Asia-Pacific defense market from Norway grew 25% to NOK 2.0 billion in 2023
18
Kongsberg secured $800 million NASAMS export to Qatar in 2022
19
Nammo's precision-guided munitions exported for NOK 900 million to Middle East in 2023
20
Norwegian shipyard exports of patrol vessels totaled NOK 1.7 billion in 2022
21
Imports from Sweden for Norwegian defense were NOK 1.9 billion in 2023
22
Kongsberg JSM exports to Romania valued at NOK 1.2 billion in 2022
23
Nammo exported rocket motors worth NOK 600 million to South Korea in 2023
24
Total defense exports licenses issued by Norway: 1,200 in 2022
25
Norwegian UAV exports reached NOK 500 million to EU partners in 2023
26
Imports of armored vehicles components NOK 700 million from Finland in 2022
27
Kongsberg exported simulation systems for $200 million to NATO training centers in 2023
28
Nammo's defense exports share of total revenue: 65% or NOK 4.1 billion in 2022
Interpretation
Exports and Trade Interpretation
Norway’s defense industry, having clearly subscribed to the adage "speak softly and carry a big, expensive stick," is now exporting that stick—and its accompanying rockets, radars, and shells—to a global clientele increasingly concerned with their own neighborhood security.
More related reading
04 · Category
Military Production30 stats
01
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace produced 1,200 Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) units in 2023 for domestic and export markets
02
Nammo delivered 500,000 155mm artillery shells to Norwegian Armed Forces in 2022 under a NOK 2.5 billion contract
03
Patria and Nammo jointly manufactured 300,000 120mm mortar rounds at the Raufoss facility in 2023
04
Kongsberg Gruppen assembled 450 PROTECTOR remote weapon stations for international customers in 2022
05
Thales Norway produced 2,500 integrated communication systems for F-35 aircraft integration in 2023
06
Nammo Lapua developed and produced 100,000 small-caliber ammunition rounds for precision rifles in 2022
07
Kongsberg Maritime delivered 150 advanced sonar systems for submarine detection to the Norwegian Navy in 2023
08
Rheinmetall Norway facility in Nærum produced 75,000 35mm ammunition units for anti-aircraft guns in 2022
09
BAE Systems Hägglunds and Norwegian partners built 20 CV90 infantry fighting vehicles with local upgrades in 2023
10
Kongsberg Simrad produced 800 tactical radar systems for coastal defense in 2022
11
Nammo Raufoss manufactured 250,000 5.56mm NATO rounds for export to NATO allies in 2023
12
Terma A/S supplied 400 radar systems integrated with Norwegian frigates under a NOK 1.2 billion deal in 2022
13
Kongsberg Defence produced 150 Joint Strike Missile (JSM) prototypes for testing in 2023
14
Diehl Defence Norway contributed to 50,000 IRIS-T missile components in 2022
15
Nammo produced 10,000 rocket-propelled grenades for special forces in 2023
16
Kongsberg delivered 300 fire control systems for NASAMS air defense in 2022
17
Patria AMV vehicles were localized with 40% Norwegian content in 50 units produced in 2023
18
Thales Norway integrated 1,000 optronic systems for Norwegian Army vehicles in 2022
19
Nammo Talley produced 5,000 shoulder-fired rockets for export in 2023
20
Kongsberg Gruppen manufactured 200 unmanned surface vessels prototypes in 2022
21
Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles supplied 30 truck chassis with Norwegian armor kits in 2023
22
Kongsberg produced 600 digital radio systems for F-35 interoperability in 2022
23
Nammo delivered 150,000 7.62mm rounds for machine guns in 2023
24
Terma A/S built 250 antenna systems for naval radar in 2022
25
Kongsberg Defence assembled 100 missile launchers for NSM in 2023
26
Nammo Raufoss produced 80,000 practice rounds for artillery training in 2022
27
Diehl Norway contributed to 20,000 air defense fuse systems in 2023
28
Thales Norway delivered 400 helmet-mounted displays for pilots in 2022
29
Kongsberg Maritime produced 120 mine countermeasures sonar units in 2023
30
Patria and Norwegian firms manufactured 15,000 mortar increments in 2022
Interpretation
Military Production Interpretation
In Norway, the defense industry demonstrates a meticulous and formidable balance of art and science, producing everything from the soaring precision of a single Naval Strike Missile to the thundering practicality of half a million artillery shells, proving their commitment to security is both devastatingly smart and bluntly overwhelming.
05 · Category
R&D and Innovation28 stats
01
Norway's defense R&D expenditure reached NOK 5.2 billion in 2022
02
Kongsberg invested NOK 2.8 billion in JSM and NSM development in 2023
03
FFI conducted 250 research projects on hypersonic weapons in 2022
04
Nammo allocated NOK 450 million to next-gen ammunition R&D in 2023
05
Norwegian participation in EDA projects: 15 initiatives with €200 million funding 2022
06
Kongsberg Digital labs developed AI for autonomous systems, 50 patents filed 2023
07
FFI's cyber defense research budget: NOK 800 million in 2022
08
Nammo's smart munitions R&D resulted in 20 prototypes tested in 2023
09
Norway funded NOK 1.1 billion in dual-use tech R&D via Research Council 2022
10
Kongsberg collaborated on 10 EU Horizon projects worth €150 million 2023
11
FFI published 180 peer-reviewed papers on defense tech in 2022
12
Terma Norway invested NOK 200 million in radar sensor fusion R&D 2023
13
Thales Norway R&D center developed 30 new optronics prototypes in 2022
14
Defense patents filed by Norwegian firms: 450 in 2023, up 12% from 2022
15
Nammo's rocket propulsion R&D budget: NOK 300 million for green propellants 2022
16
FFI tested 15 new UAV concepts under NATO DIANA accelerator 2023
17
Kongsberg R&D staff: 2,000 engineers, 25% of total workforce in 2022
18
Norwegian Quantum Tech for defense: NOK 150 million investment 2023
19
40 collaborative R&D projects with US DoD worth $100 million in 2022
20
Nammo developed biodegradable training ammo via NOK 100 million R&D 2023
21
FFI's Arctic defense tech R&D: 50 projects funded NOK 400 million 2022
22
Kongsberg filed 120 patents in missile guidance systems 2023
23
EU-funded unmanned systems R&D: Norway contributed €80 million 2022
24
Thales Norway's AI for threat detection: 10 algorithms patented 2023
25
Defense industry R&D intensity: 8.5% of revenue in 2022
26
FFI spin-off companies from R&D: 12 startups in 2023
27
Nammo's hypersonic test facility invested NOK 250 million 2022
28
Kongsberg Digital twin tech for weapons testing: NOK 500 million R&D 2023
Interpretation
R&D and Innovation Interpretation
Norway is methodically transforming its scenic fjords into a fiercely innovative arsenal, funding everything from biodegradable bullets to quantum spies with the quiet, steady intensity of a troll stacking its gold.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Norway Defense Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/norway-defense-industry-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Norway Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/norway-defense-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Norway Defense Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/norway-defense-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
31 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level