Building European and Norwegian Land Power – Shaping Tomorrow’s Defence
Army Summit is an annual conference in Oslo held by the Norwegian Army and the Norwegian Atlantic Committee. At this event, the discussions are concentrated on security and defence, with emphasis on the development of land forces.
| Dato | Tid | Sted | Billetter |
|---|---|---|---|
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17. sep. 2026
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11:00
- 15:30
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// Norwegian text below.
At a time when Europe is assuming greater strategic responsibility for its own security, Norway is deepening its bilateral defence partnerships and expanding its land forces toward a three-brigade structure. The war in Ukraine continues to demonstrate the critical importance of capable, ready and well-equipped land forces. Arenas like Army Summit are more important than ever.
The Agenda
In 2025, Army Summit explored how Norway and Europe should adapt to a world of shifting burdens and greater strategic responsibility. In 2026, we take the next step: how do we actually build the land power that this new reality demands?
This year, we will discuss what greater European responsibility within NATO means for Norwegian and allied land forces.
«Since 2009, Army Summit has been our annual arena for honest conversations about land power. In 2026, we gather at a moment of genuine transformation. Norway is building three brigades. New main battle tanks have arrived. Our drone programme is leading innovation across the Armed Forces. Through our new bilateral defence agreements with the United Kingdom, France and Germany, we are deepening the allied partnerships that make our defence credible,» says Chief of the Norwegian Army, Major General Lars S. Lervik, and continues:
«At Army Summit 2026, I look forward to bringing together political leaders, military commanders, researchers and industry to discuss how we turn commitment into combat power and how we shape the army of tomorrow. See you on 17 September.»
More information
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’s awards for Respect, Responsibility and Courage (the RAM Award), 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. Around 100 open seats will be available to the public . Registration is now open.
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, says:
«As the United States reorients its strategic focus and Europe steps up to assume greater responsibility for its own security, the question is no longer whether Europe must act, but how. Land power is at the heart of that answer.
Norway has made a clear strategic choice: to deepen bilateral defence partnerships with key European allies, to build a credible three-brigade structure, and to develop the industrial and societal resilience that credible defence demands.
At Army Summit 2026, we will explore what building European and Norwegian land power means in practice and what it will take to deliver on our collective commitments.»
We look forward to seeing you!
Keynote speakers
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The Norwegian Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik, will open this year's Army Summit.
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General Sir Roly Walker is the Chief of the General Staff and professional head of the British Army. He is responsible for developing the Army's military capability and maintaining its fighting effectiveness. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy and Operations.
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Major General Jared Sembritzki is Commander of the German Army’s Rapid Forces Division (Division Schnelle Kräfte). He leads Germany’s airborne, special operations, army aviation and air mobile forces, and commands one of the Bundeswehr’s principal rapid deployment formations. Prior to assuming command of the division, he served as Chief of Staff of the German Army.
Norsk versjon:
Army Summit er en årlig konferanse som arrangeres hver høst i Oslo av Hæren og Den norske Atlanterhavskomité. Arrangementet handler om relevante sikkerhets- og forsvarspolitiske spørsmål med en spesiell vekt på forhold som er relevante for landforsvaret.
Deltakerne spenner fra norske og allierte militære ledere, politikere, byråkrater, akademikere, studenter, forsvarsindustri og andre som er opptatt av vår felles sikkerhet og trygghet.
I fjor utforsket Army Summit hvordan Norge og Europa bør tilpasse seg en verden med forskyvning av byrder og større strategisk ansvar. I 2026 tar vi neste steg: hvordan bygger vi faktisk det landforsvaret som denne nye virkeligheten krever? På årets arrangement vil vi diskutere hva større europeisk ansvar innenfor NATO betyr for norske og allierte landstyrker.
Under Army Summit 2026 får vi høre kunnskapsrike foredragsholdere fra inn- og utland diskutere dette, delta i interessante debatter om relevante spørsmål og samtale med nye og gamle kjemte.
– Siden 2009 har Army Summit vært et årlig samlingspunkt for kunnskapsdeling om landforsvarets utvikling i en nasjonal og internasjonal kontekst. I 2026 møtes vi i en tid med reell oppbygging og modernisering. Norge bygger tre brigader. Hærens droneprogram leder an i innovasjon. Nye stridsvogner har ankommet og vil sammen med nytt artilleri, luftvern og andre systemer øke kampkraften vår betydelig. Gjennom våre bilaterale forsvarsavtaler med Storbritannia, Frankrike og Tyskland styrker vi de allierte partnerskapene som gjør forsvaret vårt troverdig, sier sjef Hæren, generalmajor Lars S. Lervik, og fortsetter:
– Under Army Summit 2026 ser jeg frem til å samle politiske ledere, militære sjefer, forskere og industri for å diskutere hvordan vi omsetter forpliktelser til kampkraft – og hvordan vi former morgendagens hær. Vi ses 17. september.
Konferansen starter klokken 11.00 og varer til rundt 15.30. Utenfor Fanehallen vil det være et materielldisplay fra Hæren og grillservering av Veteran møter Veteran. Årets pris for r espekt, ansvar og mot (RAM-prisen) og Hærens innovasjonspris blir delt ut under en høytidelig seremoni under arrangementet. Det blir gjort videoopptak av konferansen for deling i Hærens kanaler i ettertid. Rundt 100 plasser tilgjengelig for publikum. Påmeldingen er nå åpen.
Vel møtt!
Programme
- 10:00-10:50: Registration outside the conference venue (please bring your ID). The static display of military equipment is open.
Programme host: Niklas Wedø Johannessen, Conscript Representative of the Norwegian Army.
- 11:00-12:00. Opening session: A more European NATO: What does It Mean for Land Forces?
- 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
- Panel discussion
Professor Øystein Tunsjø, Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies, will open the discussion by reflecting on the preceeding speeches.
Chair: Kate Hansen Bundt, Secretary General, The Norwegian Atlantic Committee. -
12:00-12:30: Session II: The Norwegian Army Awards for Respect, Responsibility, Courage and Innovation.
- Music by the Band of His Majesty the King’s Guard
- Major General Lars S. Lervik, Chief of the Norwegian Army
- Command Sergeant Major Espen Tandstad, Norwegian Army
(This session will be held in Norwegian with English translation on the screen)
- 12:30-13:30: Lunch Break and Equipment Display
Barbeque served by the organisation Veteran Meets Veteran. The static display of military equipment remains open.
- 13:30-15:20: Session III: European Perspectives on Land Power
- General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff, British Army
- Major General Jared Sembritzki, Commander, Rapid Forces Division, German Army
- Panel discussion and questions from the audience
- 15:20-15:30: Closing perspectives from the Norwegian Army
- A younger generation's perspective by Lieutenant Cathrine Caspari
- Major General Lars S. Lervik, Chief of the Norwegian Army