The King of Norway is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defense formulates Norway's security and defense policy, and establishes the main guidelines for the entire activity of the Armed Forces. The Minister of Defense also exerts superior management, planning and control of the activity. The total active manpower is around 26,000 soldiers. The conscription can be 6, 9, or 12 months.
The Land Forces of the Norwegian army is around 7,700 soldiers, including 4,500 conscripts, with the structure:
- 1 Mobile Tactical land Command
- 1 independent mechanized brigade
- 1 additional mechanized brigade
- ISTAR battalion
- The King's Guard
- Border guard company (for the Russian border)
- Special Forces Command