Two bomb-protected mountain bunkers constitute the main alternatives, in Rygge in Østfold – in the southeastern corner of Norway – or in Reitan, a few miles outside Bodø in Nordland.
Rygge is the clearly cheaper alternative, as there is an empty mountain bunker and NATO will cover the financing of the establishment of the air command.
Regarding Reitan, the NATO command would take place in a mountain bunker already operationally used by Norway's defense, which would then need to find new facilities to continue this activity. This will likely cost several billion, which in turn would require reprioritizations in Norway's defense budget or a decision to make an addition to the budget.
NATO and the Norwegian air force have signaled that they prefer Rygge.
Regardless of what the decision is, it will take 3-4 years to establish NATO's new air command and the Norwegian decision must also be approved by NATO before it is implemented.
