The United Kingdom will double the number of troops deployed to Norway as part of a significant strengthening of Nato’s defences in the High North, Defence Secretary John Healey has announced.
The UK will increase its presence from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel over the next three years in response to rising security pressures and growing Russian military activity in the Arctic region.
British forces will also formally participate in Nato’s Arctic Sentry mission, the alliance’s initiative to enhance security and deterrence in the High North.
The announcement was made during the Defence Secretary’s visit to Royal Marines at Camp Viking in northern Norway. Mr Healey is expected to discuss the expanded commitment with Nato counterparts at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.Defence Secretary John Healey said:
“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.“
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.”As part of the expanded commitment, around 1,500 British commandos will deploy to Norway in March to take part in Nato’s Exercise Cold Response, designed to test allied forces in extreme winter conditions.
In September, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will conduct major multinational exercises across the region, bringing together air, land and maritime units to rehearse the defence of critical national infrastructure against potential attacks and sabotage.
The move comes amid growing concern over Russian hybrid activity across Europe. Sir Nick Carter, former Chief of the Defence Staff, recently called for deeper European defence cooperation to counter Moscow and sustain support for Ukraine.
Writing for the Tony Blair Institute, Sir Nick warned of an ongoing campaign of disruption linked to Russian intelligence services, including acts of sabotage and incursions into Nato airspace.“We’re all aware that Russia — with the GRU at the tip of the spear — is waging a campaign of sabotage and subversion in Europe,” he said. “We must be able to impose credible costs on this campaign, otherwise it will continue.”
Sir Nick urged European leaders to accelerate defence investment following decades of underfunding, warning that inaction would leave the continent increasingly exposed in a volatile global security environment.“After decades of under-investment in defence, this is no longer merely inefficient, it is dangerous,” he said. “Drift is no longer a neutral option.”
