Army Summit 2025 - From Burden Sharing to Burden Shifting: Adapting Norwegian Land Power

Who, When and Where

The participants range from Norwegian and allied military leaders, politicians, bureaucrats, academics, students, people working in the defence industry, and others who want to discuss and learn more about our collective security and safety.

This year, the Army Summit will take place on October 9th 2025 in Fanehallen at Akershus Fortress, Oslo. At a time when NATO has recently agreed to increase investments in defence and security to 5 percent of GDP – the war in Ukraine is raging into its fourth year, and there is a continuous uncertain and challenging security landscape in Europe and the Middle East – arenas like Army Summit are more important than ever.

The Agenda

This year, we will discuss what the increased investments mean for NATO and Norway, as well as the significance of the war in Ukraine for the development of today's and future land power. We will hear knowledgeable speakers discuss these topics, participate in interesting debates, and meet new and old acquaintances.

"Since 2009, Army Summit has been an annual meeting point for knowledge sharing about land power in a national and international context. I am particularly looking forward to bringing together allies and partners for meaningful discussions and learning from each other. Ukraine needs our long-lasting support and the Norwegian Army is therefore stepping up our effort to strengthen the Ukrainian combat power. Together, our support in the Norwegian Armed Forces makes a difference as part of Norway’s contribution to Ukraine", says Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars S. Lervik, and continues:

"The threat landscape is changing day by day. During the Army Summit we will probe deeper into what aspects of the nature of war remain constant, and what in the character of war changes, based on what we observe on the battlefield now. Land forces rely on innovative development, the right equipment, and a resilient will and capability to fight. How do we, in the Norwegian Army, incorporate this into growth in the long-term plan as we establish the Finnmark Brigade and Brigade South? What does this mean for our cooperation with our allies, and the support we provide to Ukraine? See you on 9 October."

More information

The conference starts at 11:00 and lasts until 15:30 Oslo time. Outside the venue there will be an equipment display from the Norwegian Army, and a barbeque buffet served by the organisation Veterans Meeting Veterans. This year’s award of respect, responsibility and courage, as well as the Norwegian Army’s innovation award, will be presented in a formal ceremony during the event.

Video recording of the conference will be available on the Norwegian Army’s social media channels afterwards. There will be around 100 open seats in the hall, so stay tuned for when the registration opens. Welcome!

Words from the Host

Army Summit is a cooperation between the Norwegian Army and the Norwegian Atlantic Committee. Kate Hansen Bundt, Secretary General of the Norwegian Atlantic Committee, will chair the first panel discussion. She says:

“At the NATO Summit in The Hague, all member states reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to strengthen the Alliance’s collective defence by pledging to invest 5 percent of GDP annually on defence and security by 2035. Over the next decade, Allies will commit to investments that cover the forces, capabilities, infrastructure, and improved resilience needed to meet the threats we face in a highly unpredictable security environment.

As Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues and the United States is expected to prioritise its strategic focus towards the Indo-Pacific region, Europe has pledged to assume greater responsibility for the continent’s security.

At this year’s Army Summit, we will discuss how “burden-shifting” will influence European security and discuss the role of Norwegian land power in strengthening the resilience and readiness of NATO’s northern flank.”

Official program:

• 10:00–10:50: Registration outside the conference venue (please bring your ID). The static display of military equipment is open.
  Program host: Niklas Wedø Johannessen, Conscript Representative of the Norwegian Army.
• 11:00–12:15: Opening session: "From Burden Sharing to Burden Shifting: Adapting Norwegian Land Power".
• Opening piece by the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces.
• Opening speech by the Norwegian Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik.
• Speech by Major General Lars S. Lervik, Chief of the Norwegian Army.
• Keynote speech: Deputy Commander General, Major General Christopher R. Norrie, United States Army, Europe-Africa.
• Keynote speech: Professor Katarzyna Zysk, The Norwegian Institute of Defence Studies (NDUC)
• Chair of the panel discussion: Secretary General, The Norwegian Atlantic Committee, Kate Hansen Bundt.
• Panel discussion. Questions from the audience.
• 12:15–13:15: Lunch break.
  Barbeque served by the organisation Veteran Meets Veteran. The static display of military equipment is open.
• 13:15–13:45: Session II: The Norwegian Army's award for Respect, Responsibility, Courage and Innovation.
• Music by His Majesty the King's Guard.
• Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars S. Lervik
• Command Sergeant Major of the Norwegian Army, Espen Tandstad.(This session will be held in Norwegian with English translation on the screen).
• 13:45–15:15: Session III: "Supporting Ukraine, innovation and developing of land power".
• Keynote speech: (updated information is coming soon)
• Chair of the panel discussion: Researcher, The Norwegian Institute of Defence Studies (NDUC), Magnus Håkenstad.
• Introductory words from the first panelist: (updated information is coming soon).
• Introductory words from the second panelist: (updated information is coming soon).
• Introductory words from the third panelist: Soldier from Brigade North, the Norwegian Army, Lieutenant Audun Bentzrød.
• Panel discussion. Questions from the audience.
• 15:15–15:30: Concluding words of Army Summit
  Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General, Lars S. Lervik.