støtstyrke

Støtstyrke is a military term used in Norwegian doctrine to denote the primary assault force of a larger formation. Its purpose is to breach enemy defenses, penetrate fortified lines, and seize key terrain or objectives, thereby enabling exploitation by follow-on forces. Støtstyrke operates as the offensive spear within combined arms warfare and is designed to generate rapid local superiority through shock, maneuver, and close combat.

Typically, a støtstyrke comprises mechanized or motorized infantry supported by armor, engineers, and direct-fire assets. It commonly includes assault elements such as infantry fighting vehicles, assault teams, and close-support weapons, and it coordinates with supporting arms – artillery, air support, and intelligence, reconnaissance to maintain tempo and situational awareness.

Operationally, the støtstyrke conducts assaults under a plan that integrates fire from indirect assets, breaching operations, exploitation of gaps, and stabilization of objectives. It is trained for rapid movement, night and urban operations, and close-quarters fighting, with emphasis on communication, discipline, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield.

Within doctrine, støtstyrke is contrasted with defensive formations, security or reserve units, and with follow-on or exploitation forces. Its effectiveness depends on combined arms integration, superior tempo, and clear command and control to prevent losses and maintain momentum.