Our recent growth has been robust. In the span of five years, we've doubled our revenues and seen a fivefold increase in results. This achievement is a source of pride for all of us. As of the end of 2023, our order backlog has reached a record high of nearly 90 billion NOK, providing a solid foundation and predictability for the future.
As we embark on 2024, we stand in the middle of a world characterized by disruptions and geopolitical tensions. The distance between the world's superpowers has increased, and global uncertainty has escalated. Both Europe and the Middle East carry the burden of ongoing conflicts and war. The current geopolitical tensions serve as a stark reminder of the world's fragility and emphasize the crucial need to advocate for global security.
"2023 was a strong year for KONGSBERG. We reached several milestones, strengthened our positions within sustainability and safety, and passed 40 billion in revenues."
Society is now paying increased attention to the more obvious consequences of climate change. The heightened awareness of extreme weather events, ice melting, record-breaking heat, droughts, forest fires, and their repercussions on ecosystems emphasizes the necessity of addressing both technological and climatic challenges. This calls for a collective effort to create a sustainable future, where we must develop and implement innovative technology while taking action to reduce our impact on the environment. As a world-leading technology company, KONGSBERG has a duty to develop technology and solutions to strengthen nations' defence capabilities, reduce emissions, promote sustainable energy sources, and drive digitization forward.
Governments worldwide have security, sustainability, and digitization at the top of their agendas. In 2024, over 70 countries and regions including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Parliament will elect their leaders. The ongoing global wave of elections will influence political choices, impact international institutions, and bring about changes that we will need to address in the years ahead.
"This calls for a collective effort to create a sustainable future, where we must develop and implement innovative technology while taking action to reduce our impact on the environment."
KONGSBERG is a diversified and international technology company with locations in nearly 40 countries. Our solutions are of strategic importance within a wide range of markets such as defence, security, maritime, energy, space, and underwater technology. Navigating an evolving international landscape poses challenges, yet it primarily offers opportunities. We possess solutions and systems that align with the demands of our markets and the world.
I strongly believe that with our technology portfolio and deep domain knowledge, we are well positioned to respond to the global trends related to security and sustainability. We persist in making substantial investments, not only in new solutions but also in capacity. This lays a solid foundation for continued growth in the future.
