UK to Double Military Presence in Norway as Russia Reopens Cold War Bases
In a significant escalation of defensive measures, the United Kingdom will double its troop deployment to Norway over the next three years, increasing from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel. This strategic move comes as Defence Secretary John Healey warns that Russia under Vladimir Putin presents the most severe threat to Arctic and High North security witnessed since the Cold War era.
NATO's Arctic Sentry Mission Gains British Commitment
During a visit to Royal Marines stationed at Camp Viking in the Norwegian Arctic, Mr Healey confirmed that UK Armed Forces will actively participate in NATO's Arctic Sentry initiative. This alliance mission aims to enhance regional security and address concerns, including those previously raised by former US President Donald Trump regarding Greenland's strategic importance.
"Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and High North security that we have seen since the Cold War," declared the Defence Secretary. "We see Putin rapidly re-establishing military presence in the region, including reopening old Cold War bases. The UK is stepping up to protect the Arctic and High North – doubling the number of troops we have in Norway and scaling up joint exercises with NATO allies."
Immediate Military Exercises and Long-Term Strategy
The bolstered deployment will be accompanied by substantial military exercises throughout 2026:
- In March, approximately 1,500 British commandos will deploy to Norway for NATO's large-scale Exercise Cold Response.
- By September, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will conduct major air, land, and naval training operations in the region, focusing on protecting critical infrastructure from potential attacks and sabotage.
Mr Healey is scheduled to discuss these proposals with NATO counterparts at the alliance's Brussels headquarters on Thursday, emphasizing collective security measures.
Former Military Chief Warns of Russian Sabotage Campaign
The increased military presence responds directly to warnings from former head of the armed forces, General Sir Nick Carter. In a paper for the Tony Blair Institute, Sir Nick highlighted Russia's ongoing campaign of sabotage and subversion across Europe, including incursions into NATO airspace by Russian intelligence services like the GRU.
"We're all aware that Russia and the GRU at the tip of the spear – that's Russia's intelligence services – are waging a campaign of sabotage and subversion in Europe," Sir Nick stated. "Now we've got to be able to impose credible costs on this campaign, because otherwise it will continue."
Call for European Defence Cooperation and Support for Ukraine
Sir Nick's paper urgently calls for wholesale improvements in European military capabilities and sustained support for Ukraine. He argues that decades of under-investment in defence have created dangerous vulnerabilities at a time when Europe faces growing external threats in an evolving world order.
"Europe faces a growing external threat in an evolving world order at the same time as its political, fiscal and industrial systems are struggling to respond," Sir Nick wrote. "After decades of under-investment in defence, this is no longer merely inefficient – it is dangerous. The path ahead for Europe's leaders will not be easy; they cannot afford to fail. Drift is no longer a neutral option."
He concluded that Europe's future influence depends on its ability to take rapid collective action for its own defence and security, warning that failure to do so would leave the continent shaped by external powers rather than shaping the international order itself.
