Britain Challenges Russian Federation In The Arctic
- 11.02.2026, 11:40
The number of troops in Norway will be doubled.
The number of British troops in Norway will double over the next three years as part of measures to counter the Russian threat in the High North.
The BBC reports.
British Defense Minister John Healey said the number of troops stationed in Norway would increase from 1,000 to 2,000.
The decision came as NATO allies grew concerned about Russia's activities in the Arctic, including the reopening of old Cold War-era bases and an increased military presence in the region.
"Defense requirements are growing and Russia is the most serious threat to Arctic and High North security since the Cold War," Healy said.
The Arctic Guardian project, proposed by British Foreign Secretary Ivette Cooper, aims to strengthen surveillance and security in the region, modeled on existing NATO alliances such as the Baltic Guardian and Eastern Guardian.
As part of the expanded presence, 1,500 Royal Marines will take part in NATO's Cold Response exercise in March.
The large-scale exercise in Norway, Finland and Sweden is designed to train allied forces in the extreme conditions of the Arctic.
In September, the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force will conduct an exercise called "Lion Protector" involving air, land and naval forces from several European countries.
The operation will train military forces to defend critical infrastructure against attacks and sabotage in Norway, Iceland and the Danish straits.
Last year, Britain and Norway signed a defense pact aimed at protecting undersea cables, under which the two countries' navies will operate a joint fleet to track Russian submarines.
The number of Russian submarines in UK waters has increased by 30 percent in the past two years, according to the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry of Defense said that Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic has now returned to Cold War levels.
At the same time, the commander-in-chief of Norway's Armed Forces, Eirik Kristoffersen, said he could not rule out the possibility of a future Russian invasion of the country, so he was preparing for such a scenario.