The number of British troops deployed to Norway will double over the next three years, as the UK strengthens its defences in the High North amid rising tensions with Russia.
Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that the troop presence will increase from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel. He also announced that British forces will join Nato’s Arctic Sentry mission, aimed at boosting security across the increasingly strategic Arctic region.
Speaking during a visit to Royal Marines at Camp Viking in northern Norway, Healey warned that Russia now poses the most significant threat to Arctic and High North security since the Cold War. He accused President Vladimir Putin of rebuilding military strength in the region, including reopening former Soviet-era bases.
Around 1,500 British commandos are scheduled to deploy in March for Nato’s Exercise Cold Response, a large-scale drill designed to test allied forces in harsh winter conditions. Later in the year, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will carry out major exercises across the region, training air, land and naval units to defend critical infrastructure from potential attacks or sabotage.
Meanwhile, former UK armed forces chief Sir Nick Carter has urged European nations to deepen military cooperation and increase defence spending. He warned that Russia is carrying out an ongoing campaign of sabotage and subversion across Europe and stressed that failure to respond decisively could leave the continent increasingly vulnerable.
The Arctic is fast becoming a new front in global security — and Britain appears determined not to fall behind.
