According to European Pravda, citing a statement from the Norwegian Police Directorate, Norway has received approximately 191 million Norwegian kroner (€16.4 million) to modernize the Norwegian-Russian border by the end of 2024.These funds will significantly improve the protection of the external border, giving local and national authorities better tools to safeguard security and national interests.“The security situation in Europe means that Norway must take a number of steps to strengthen border control. The police and armed forces will enhance their already strong cooperation through closer coordination and further development of border missions,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rune Rippón from the Defense Headquarters.An interagency steering group has now been established to oversee the implementation of these measures.During its first meeting, the group inspected the Skafferhullet facility — a former border crossing between Norway and Russia.This area will be the first of many stages in the modernization of border control in the north, jointly carried out by the Norwegian police and armed forces.“With this modernization, we’ll be able to test new observation towers and alternative sensors for detection and monitoring. The use of drones will also be relevant in some parts of the border. This is important for the continued modernization of the border with Russia,” said Police Chief Ellen Katrine Hætta from the Finnmark Police District.