Norway faces a new sanctions scandal after revelations about defense firm Kongsberg Gruppen. NRK reports that Kongsberg’s high-tech equipment allegedly reached Russia through a third-party buyer. The devices may now help Moscow monitor NATO naval activity in the Barents Sea. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NKH) has asked the authorities to investigate possible violations of export laws.
“Russia is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine, and any support of its military capabilities by a Norwegian company is irresponsible and endangers regional security,” said Aage Borchgrevink, senior adviser at NHC.
His remarks highlight growing concern over weak export controls and Norway’s role in preventing dual-use technology from reaching Russia.
Norwegian officials responded quickly. The government called on the PST counterintelligence agency to open an investigation. Lawmakers described the situation as alarming and said it undermines trust in Norway’s export control system. Deputy Foreign Minister Eivind Vad Petersson confirmed that the case merits scrutiny, stressing that Norwegian technology must not “fall into the wrong hands.”
The case echoes the 1985 “Kongsberg–Toshiba” scandal, when similar exports reached the Soviet Union. That incident reshaped Norway’s defense oversight for decades. Aage Borchgrevink urged transparency from Kongsberg and full clarification from the company.
Read the full article and Aage Borchgrevink’s commentary on Portal Morski.
For more expert insights from the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC), visit the NHC website.
Further Reading
Reducing Russia’s income requires a coordinated strategy targeting energy exports, critical materials, and key technologies that sustain its economy and military. Broader trade, financial, and military sanctions further weaken Russia’s war efforts and international standing.
Explore the latest research on sanctions against Russia in the Sanctions Portal Evidence Base section. Learn about the main sanction packages imposed by Western allies following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as Russian countermeasures, by visiting the Timeline of Western Sanctions and Russian Countermeasures.
