UK to double number of troops in Norway in response to Putin’s Arctic threat
Britain is set to double its troop numbers in Norway to strengthen defenses against Vladimir Putin’s Russia in the High North.
The commitment will see the number of British forces in the country increase from 1,000 to 2,000 over the next three years.
Defense Secretary John Healey also pledged that the UK would join NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, during his visit to the Royal Marines at Camp Viking in the Norwegian Arctic.
This alliance initiative aims to improve regional security and address concerns raised by Donald Trump regarding Greenland.
The announcement came after former armed forces chief General Sir Nick Carter called for greater European cooperation to deter Russia and support Ukraine.
The Defense Secretary also confirmed that the UK Armed Forces will play their part in NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission.
Mr Healey will meet NATO counterparts to discuss the proposals at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Thursday.
The Minister of Defense said: “Demands on defense are increasing and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and Northern security that we have seen since the Cold War.
“We see Putin rapidly re-establishing his military presence in the region, including the reopening of former Cold War bases.
“The UK is taking action to protect the Arctic and the Upper North, doubling the number of troops in Norway and increasing joint exercises with NATO allies.”
Approximately 1,500 commandos will be deployed to Norway in March for NATO’s Cold Response Exercise.
In September, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will conduct major military exercises in the region, with air, land and naval force training to protect critical infrastructure from attack and sabotage.
Sir Nick highlighted the risk of Russian sabotage activity in an article he wrote for the Tony Blair Institute.
He said: “We are all aware that Russia and the GRU at the tip of the spear, Russia’s intelligence services, are waging a campaign of sabotage and subversion in Europe, including attacks on our NATO airspace.
“We must now be able to put credible costs on this campaign, otherwise it will continue.”
The newspaper called for the wholesale improvement of Europe’s military power and called for continued support for Ukraine.
Sir Nick said: “Europe faces a growing external threat in the evolving world order, while its political, financial and industrial systems are also struggling to respond. After decades of underinvestment in defence, this is now not only inefficient but dangerous. The road ahead for European leaders will not be easy; they cannot afford to fail. Drift is no longer a neutral option.”
“Europe’s influence will depend on its ability to take rapid collective action. A Europe that can do this and take responsibility for its own defense and security will continue to be a shaper of the international order. A Europe that cannot do this will be shaped by others.”
