Arctic military leaders met in Iceland

More than one million salmon died in sea cages in Iceland in September, according to Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV.

"These are significant losses. According to my records, this is the third-highest monthly mortality rate since we began monitoring in 2020. It is serious when so many fish die," says Karl Steinar Óskarsson, head of aquaculture division at the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST), in an interview with RÚV.

A large proportion of the deaths were attributed to a jellyfish outbreak in Reyðarfjörður in eastern Iceland. Further losses were also recorded in connection with the transfer of salmon smolt to sea cages.

"There have also been underlying health issues that emerged in connection with the transfer of the fish to sea. These are the main causes, partcularly in September," Óskarsson says.

According to MAST, there are currently no indication that any regulations have been breached. The authority is continuing its investigation.

This week, Nordic ministers and parliamentarians are gathered for the Nordic Council session in Helsinki, Finland.

Following a foreign policy debate in plenary on Wednesday, Denmark will host a foreign ministers' meeting on the Arctic and the broader security policy context. Greenland and the Faroe Islands will also participate in the meeting.

"Russia continues its brutal war against Ukraine, which is also a direct threat to European and Nordic security. The Nordic countries stand unwaveringly together in support of Ukraine, and we will continue to send an unequivocal signal of support to Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia. At the same time, we will talk openly about the Arctic, where the security situation requires close Nordic cooperation," says Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen (M).

Drilling for hot water is under way in Laugardalur, Iceland, reports RUV. There is almost certainly hot water beneath the site, as several existing boreholes are located nearby. Work officially began October 15.

"We hope this will increase our production capacity by as much as 40 per cent, if everything goes according to plan," says Sólrún Kristinsdóttir, managing director of utilities firm Veitur, to RUV.

There has been no drilling for hot water in Laugardalur for 44 years, since 1982. The area has supplied Reykjavík residents with hot water for almost a century, with the first boreholes drilled near Þvottalaugarnar.

Bodø Business Forum is organizing a dedicated defense conference titled "The Defense Plege for Northern Norway 2026". The conference is being held in collaboration with the Harstad Region Business Association, the Bodø Region Development Company, and Kunnskapsparken Bodø.

It will take place on November 10 at the Stormen Concert Hall in Bodø.

The press release states that "Northern Norway is at the center of one of the largest defense initiatives in modern times." The conference will bring together key stakeholders from the Norwegian Armed Forces, the defense industry, academia, and the political sphere to discuss current security policy challenges, the future of defense in the North, and the opportunities this initiative creates for the business sector and societal development in the region.

State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, Andreas Flåm, will open the conference. Read more about the conference here.

Local authorities and tourism operatora in South Iceland are pushing back against plans to introduce a nature and infrastructure fee for tourists visiting the popular Golden Circle, according to the Icelandic national broadcaster RUV.

Ingunn Jónsdóttir, Managing Director of the Association of South Iceland Municipalities (SASS), criticizes the fact that the fee targets just three specific sites in South Iceland rather than applying to all state-owned tourist destination across the country.

The local community considers it unfair that these destinations are being taxed more heavily simply because of their success in attracting visitors, and they are calling for dialogue with the government to find a solution that works for the entire industry.

The US Navy commissioned its newest destroyer, the USS Ted Stevens, into active service during a formal ceremony in Whittier, Alaska, on October 3.

That is reported by U.S. Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and the US Department of War.

The ship and its commissioning location honor the legacy of the late Sen. Ted Stevens, a decorated combat aviator and lifelong champion for the state of Alaska and the nation's armed forces, the press release states.

Selecting the strategic deep-water port of Whittier highlights Alaska's enduring maritime significance and the historic partnership between the state and the Navy.

"From the Pacific campaigns of World War II to modern Arctic maritime operations, the Navy and Alaska share a deep commitment to homeland defense. The commissioning in Whittier emphasizes the Navy's persistent operational presence in high-latitude environments to deter northern flank aggression and safeguard critical maritime routes," it further reads.

Following post-commissioning operations, the USS Ted Stevens will transit to its permanent home port in Norfolk, Virginia, fully prepared to deploy worldwide.

A series of internal Department of National Defence documents suggest Canadian troops were ill-prepared and occasionally ill-equipped for the harsh conditions they faced last winter during a major training exercise with American forces in Alaska.

This according to CBC.

The evaluation reports, obtained by CBC News, show the military has a lot to learn and a long way to go to rebuild its capability to defend the Arctic.

The training involved over 400 members of the 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (3RCR) which was folded into a much larger U.S. Army brigade during Exercise Global Response in February at the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, north of Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Carney government has committed to an almost year-round presence in the Far North and the reports indicate, among other things, that troops will need to learn to rely less on technology and more on basic skills in order to fight and survive, according to defence experts.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) will travel to Iceland on October 5. There, Rubio is set to meet with Icelandic politicians in Reykjavík to discuss cooperation on the economy and security.

The Secretary will then travel to Greece to lead the US delegation at the sixth US-Greece Strategic Dialogue, aiming to strengthen the partnership on key administration priorities, including defense cooperation as well as regional and energy security.

Afterwards, Rubio will travel to Lisbon to meet with Portuguese representatives and promote cooperation in the fields of defense, the economy, and technology.

The Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) has registered growing interest from state threat actors in Norway's coastal and maritime areas.

"We are seeing very significant interest in the Arctic and the High North from a number of countries. This mainly concerns Russia, but also China," Jon Fitje Hoffmann, director at PST, tild the norwegian broadcaster NRK.

According to Hoffmann, Russia is seeking to map Norwegian ports, communications cables, ans the thousands of kilometres of oil and gas pipelines on the seabed.

He said this could be part of general intelligence gathering, but could also serve as preparation for potential acts of sabotage.

PST is now urging the public to report unusual activity, including incidents that fall outside the normal pattern and people or vessels behaving suspiciously.

PST also advises individuals and businesses to be alert to unexplained friend requests on social media.

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has initiated legal proceedings against the Icelandic authorities.

In a press release, ESA states that it is reffering Iceland to the EFTA Court because, in ESA's assessment, Icelandic law has failed to adequately meet the country's obligations.

The case concerns Protocol 35 of the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, which requires Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein to ensure that EEA rules implemented in national law prevail over other conflicting national provisions.

ESA finds that Iceland has not established the legal safeguards necessary to ensure that individuals and companies can fully exercise their EEA rights.

ESA first raised concerns in 2012 and initiated infringement proceedings in 2017.

Since then, two different governments have announced legislative changes, and proposals have repeatedly been submitted to parliament, yet no legislation has been adopted.

It is now up to the EFTA Court to rule on the matter.

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), Danish and NATO forces are conducting combined air defense training during Operation ARCTIC VANGUARD (OAV) 26-4.2, integrating fighters, aerial refueling and airborne command and control to strengthen the defense of North America’s northern approaches.

NORAD fighter aircraft are operating from Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, alongside aerial refueling and search and rescue aircraft operating from Bagotville, Québec.

This combined activity extends to Keflavik, Iceland, where Royal Danish Air Force fighters and a CL-604 Challenger are participating in training scenarios and air activity alongside a French multirole tanker transport aircraft and NATO airborne warning and control aircraft.

Aircrews are planning and executing defensive counterair training missions focused on integrating allied fighters against advanced simulated air threats. The missions emphasize tactical data sharing and secure communications to exchange information and coordinate actions among participating forces.

Norway and Canada are set to draft an agreement on closer defense cooperation and to train and operate more closely together in the Arctic.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed on this during a meeting in Ottawa on Sunday, NTB reports.

"Canada is a close partner for Norway and an important NATO ally. We share many fundamental values and have common interests in the Arctic. In turbulent times, Norway needs a broader foundation to stand on. We are now further strengthening our cooperation with Canada," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre says in a press release.

Earlier this year, Norway and Canada established a strategic partnership covering areas such as Arctic security, support for Ukraine, energy, critical minerals, space, artificial intelligence, and climate.

In July, Canada joined the submarine cooperation initiative between Norway and Germany. The three countries are set to acquire identical submarines.

"This will strengthen our—and NATO’s—ability to monitor maritime areas in the north. It is crucial for our shared security," says Støre.

Norway and Canada also intend to increase cooperation between their respective defense industries. In a joint statement, the prime ministers affirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine.

Furthermore, the Norwegian and Canadian polar institutes will collaborate more closely on Arctic research.

Two Danish F-35 fighter jets landed in Greenland for the first time on Wednesday, at Kangerlussuaq Airport, reports KNR.

They are training alongside American F-16s and Canadian F-18s.

A Danish F-35 pilot tells the Danish Defence that Arctic conditions pose particular challenges for operations. The weather can be harsh and unpredictable, while distances between airfields are vast.

The operation is also supported by a French aerial refuelling aircraft, a Danish surveillance aircraft and a NATO AWACS aircraft.

US President Donald Trump has previously criticised Denmark for insufficient security measures in Greenland, citing threats from Russia and China.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will welcome the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, to Ottawa, Ontario from September 20 to 21.

During the visit, the leaders will discuss opportunities to deepen the Canada-Norway partnership across key sectors, such as energy, critical minerals, and sovereign technology – including artificial intelligence and aerospace, a press release states.

“Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Støre will also advance Canada and Norway’s defence and security partnership. As Arctic nations and NATO Allies, they will discuss efforts to strengthen security and resilience in the Arctic and North Atlantic, modernise our defence capabilities, and bolster secure and resilient defence supply chains that support our collective security," states the press release.

“Canada and Norway are strong partners with growing ties in energy, defence, and technology. I look forward to hosting Prime Minister Støre as we deepen our economic relationship, strengthen the NATO Alliance, and create new opportunities for Canadian and Norwegian workers and businesses,” says Prime Minister Carney.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot visits Bodø, Northern Norway 14–15 September for talks with Norway's Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide regarding European security, the High North, and the strategic partnership between Norway and France.

The visit takes place at a time when European security is high on the agenda, and as Norway and France cooperate increasingly closely on defense and security policy issues, the Arctic, and the High North.

During the visit, the ministers will receive briefings at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) and discuss developments in the European security situation. The EU’s Arctic strategy is also on the agenda.

The foreign ministers will meet for a working dinner in Bodø on the evening of 14 September, before the program continues at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters the following morning.

Next February, the Icelandic government will submit a bill to permanently ban whaling, according to Reuters.

The proposal has political and public support, and the government holds a majority in parliament.

If the ban is passed, Norway and Japan will be the only remaining countries in the world that continue commercial whaling.

During this year's season in Iceland, 80 fin whales were caught out of a quota of 150. The fin whale is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the proposal is grounded in ethical, veterinary, and conservation reasons.

On Tuesday, the Canadian government announced that it will invest 405 million Canadian dollars in the Mackenzie Valley Highway project in the Northwest Territories.

The investment is being made through an Arctic Infrastructure Fund, and represents an important step toward establishing a continuous all-season transportation connection between the village of Wrigley and the city of Norman Wells.

“Safe and dependable transportation infrastructure is essential to strong, connected communities across Canada’s North and Arctic. This investment will help build more dependable connections, strengthen supply chains, create economic opportunities and improve access to essential services," says Steven MacKinnon, Canadian Minister of Transport, continuing:

"Through the Arctic Infrastructure Fund, we are investing in infrastructure that responds to the needs of northern and Indigenous communities while strengthening Canada’s resilience, security and sovereignty in the Arctic.”

The Canadian Coast Guard's largest and most powerful icebreaker, CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent, reached the North Pole on August 16.

The transit supports Canada's efforts to define its continental shelf and map its outer limits under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. During its voyage, the icebreaker collects high-resolution geoscientific and hydrographic data.

“The arrival of CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent at the North Pole is an important milestone that reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to the Arctic. Supported by the expertise of Canadian Coast Guard personnel, this mission advances scientific knowledge, strengthens our presence in the North, and reinforces Canada’s sovereignty and security,” says David J. McGuinty, Canadian Minister of National Defence.

This week, four Belgian F-16 fighter jets and personnel assumed the Iceland Air Defence responsibilities at Keflavík air station. The detachment will remain for a month-long deployment.

The mission was formerly known as Iceland Air Policing and focused mainly on protecting agaist crewed and uncrewed aircraft. With the transition to Air Defence, NATO can now respond more flexibly to a wider range of threats, using a layered, 360-degree approach across all operational domains, according to NATO Air Command.

"The Belgian Air Force’s assumption of this vital mission in Iceland marks a significant move to a single Integrated Air and Missile Defence posture,” says Major General Frank Gräfe, Chief of Staff for NATO Allied Air Command.

Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), hosted Gen. Michael Hyldgaard, the Kingdom of Denmark’s Chief of Defence, for strategic visits to key military installations in Alaska, August 12-14.

That is stated in a press release from Alaskan Command Public Affairs.

The multi-day visit focused on combined Arctic operations, airspace defense, operational integration, and interoperability.

"Showcasing our operations in Alaska demonstrates to our Allies the benefit of the NORDIC bridge which ties the US and NATO partners to deter and defend the Northern Approaches and the Arctic as a whole," said Guillot and added:

"Cooperation in this demanding environment ensures our combined forces remain ready to defend our nations at a moment's notice."

The visit began at Eielson Air Force Base on August 13, where both leaders suited up to participate in separate flight profiles in F-16 Fighting Falcons.

On August 14, the defense leaders transitioned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson for high-level bilateral discussions at Alaskan Command Headquarters. The generals also met with Alaskan defense leaders to discuss shared security challenges, the defense of Greenland, and initiatives to enhance domain awareness across the Arctic.