Norway's Ulstein Group posts profit as defense policy debate rages

Ulstein Group, part of the Ulstein Group conglomerate, reported an increased profit for the third consecutive year, highlighting its strong financial performance and its potential role in building new warships for the Norwegian defence ministry.

At the same time, a heated political debate has emerged over Norway's security strategy. Magnus Støre has called for a shift away from NATO's military buildup toward a “peace paradigm,” opposing plans to expand production of advanced military explosives at the Hurum plant, which supplies vital air‑defence missiles. Critics argue that reducing such capabilities would weaken deterrence against Russia and raise the risk of conflict, stating that “it would give a far higher risk of war on our own soil.” The discussion reflects broader concerns about balancing environmental protection with national security.

These developments illustrate the intersection of Norway's defence industry performance and the contested direction of its defence and foreign‑policy decisions.