Kampfly i kampen mot terrorisme i Norge?

Abstract

The focus of this master thesis is examining to what extent fighter aircraft are relevant in support of the police when executing counterterrorism operations in Norway. The research examines the fighter aircraft`s properties and capabilities and whether they are relevant in the framework of the Norwegian strategy to fight terrorism, legislations and accompanying regulations. In addition, it further examines through in depth interviews with identified central decision makers in counter terrorism operations, the degree of competence of the fighter aircraft`s properties and capabilities, and the perception of fighter aircraft as a legitimate support asset. This thesis concludes that the fighter aircraft has highly relevant properties and capabilities and can contribute to several of the main requirements in a counter terrorism operation, as described in literature and by the interviewees. However, there is reason to believe that this relevance is reduced due to a combination of strong symbolic effect in using fighter aircraft at a political level, and a lack of competence and awareness about the capabilities and properties at the highest decision making levels in both the justice and defense-sector.