Nukleær elektromagnetisk puls (NEMP) og moderne infrastruktur

This report covers vulnerabilities in the wake of a nuclear electromagnetic pulse (NEMP, or nuclear EMP) events. The report describes typical damage mechanisms related to NEMP, the legal framework for protection, requirements, and possible mitigation.
Since the end of the Cold War, the risk of nuclear war has seemed low, and the Norwegian Armed Forces has put less emphasis on threats such as electromagnetic radiation from nuclear detonations and NEMP. The war in Ukraine, however, has brought nuclear threats back on the agenda, and North Korea and other states have developed nuclear weapon capabilities. Accordingly, protective measures against NEMP and other nuclear weapons effects should be prioritized higher going forward.
In the Norwegian civil context, there are legal requirements for NEMP protection of critical infrastructure like electrical power distribution and telecom. Within the NATO alliance, the requirements and specifications for NEMP immunity are defined in military standards. When physical testing of materiel against realistic simulated threats are required, Norway holds facilities to handle test objects up to medium-sized vehicles. Testing of larger objects must be performed abroad.
The digitalization of the Armed Forces’ materiel and infrastructure follows the civilian technology developments. This means that the modernization of the military sector mirrors the developments in the civil society. Consequently, there are increased possibilities and more need for interaction with entities within the civilian service providers, materiel, and digital infrastructure. This is beneficial from an economy perspective, but challenging with respect to military requirements for resilience against extreme threats, such as NEMP.
From both practical and economical points of view it would be beneficial if the approach to requirement specifications and practical approaches to NEMP protection were more unified and holistic. Ideally, a corresponding regime should also cover important civilian entities.