NATO has chosen Norway as the host country for its new Combined Air Operations Centre (CAOC), with the temporary location set in Bodø. While the government has yet to announce a permanent site, the decision to situate the interim base in northern Norway reflects growing strategic attention on the Arctic and High North following the accession of Finland and Sweden to the alliance.
Strategic Arctic location and existing infrastructure shape the decision
According to Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik, the choice of Bodø does not prejudge the final location of the CAOC. However, Bodø was selected because it is currently the only site capable of hosting NATO operations within the given timeline. The base will be housed in the former air station in Bodø and is expected to employ several hundred personnel over the next few years.
“A strong NATO in the north is essential for our security,” said Sandvik. “NATO has an ambitious timeline, and delivering on it is crucial for both Norway and the Nordic region.”
The Norwegian government has proposed a NOK 438 million (approximately €38 million) increase in the 2025 revised national budget to fund the temporary facility without cutting into other defence priorities.
Competing bids: Reitan vs. Rygge
The temporary base reopens a heated debate over the permanent location of the CAOC, which is currently contested between Reitan (just outside Bodø) and Rygge (in Østfold, southern Norway).
While the Air Force has supported Rygge as the preferred site due to lower costs (estimated at NOK 3.685 billion, €322 million), Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen has advocated for Reitan. In a classified document leaked to NRK, Kristoffersen stated: “I emphasise the ability to lead operations from the north and consolidate leadership capabilities around Bodø.”
Reitan’s estimated cost, including an ambitious renovation of the mountain-based headquarters known as Facility 1210, stands at NOK 4.08 billion (€357 million). This makes it 30% more expensive than Rygge, though NATO’s investment fund NSIP could cover much of Rygge’s cost, but not the full refurbishment at Reitan.
Political friction and local advocacy
The temporary base has been welcomed by Bodø mayor Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, who sees it as a validation of the city’s strategic importance. “Bodø meets all the requirements and offers significant military infrastructure and expertise,” he told NRK.
However, local and national politicians remain divided. Bent-Joacim Bentzen of the Centre Party (Senterpartiet) criticised the government’s indecision: “Spending nearly half a billion kroner on a temporary solution is not what we need in today’s security situation.”
Meanwhile, Tage Pettersen, a parliamentary representative from Østfold, lamented the blow to Rygge’s prospects but held out hope: “I still believe the government has not made a final decision.”
NATO priorities and regional security
The decision to set up a CAOC in northern Europe is part of a broader NATO effort to bolster command capabilities in the Nordic and Arctic regions. Currently, NATO operates two other CAOCs: one in Uedem, Germany and another in Torrejón, Spain. The new facility in Norway would significantly enhance allied readiness and responsiveness closer to Russia’s northwestern border.
According to the defence ministry, the temporary site in Bodø will be reusable for future joint NATO exercises, regardless of the permanent location chosen.
Strategic clarity still lacking
While the temporary installation signals NATO’s trust in Norway and urgency in strengthening northern air defence, the lack of a clear long-term decision continues to stir political and strategic tensions. As the region braces for heightened geopolitical competition, Bodø’s role in NATO’s northern architecture is likely to remain a focal point in the months to come.
