According to _Dagsavisen's report, Norway will adopt a new EU directive on the purchase of defense and security equipment in the end of the year. The directive provides great opportunities for the Norwegian defense industry.
– But our fear is that some large countries do not follow the established rules of the game, while small countries will lose a lot, says State Secretary Roger Ingebrigtsen from the Defense Ministry.
Ingebrigtsen also stated that the Norwegian market is already quite open and this directive will bring even tougher competition at home as it will enable other EU countries weapon manifacturers will freely involve in the internal Market of Norway.
On the other hand, it will open other markets abroad for Norwegian weapon manifacturer. But it is concerned that some of the major economies continue to practice practically close their markets.
While Norway currently buys about 60 percent of its defense equipment from abroad, France buys its weapons almost exclusively from only its own defense industry.
– We have not received any signals from the major countries that they soon plan to change this kind of conservative behavior, said Ingebrigtsen.
