politics
Cold Response 2026
Increased Military Activity in the North
For ten days in March, NATO will conduct its annual Cold Response exercise. This means that around 25,000 allied soldiers are practicing the defense of Norway and its surrounding areas.
Published
The exercise that lasts from March 9 to 19, is considered among the most important of the year. It aims to strengthen allied defense capabilities in the North, contribute to credible deterrence, and demonstrate the ability to protect NATO's northern flank. This was reported by the Norwegian Armed Forces in a press release.
Around 11,800 soldiers are training on Norwegian and Finnish soil, while other forces participate at sea, and in the air.
"NATO and the Armed Forces are exercising to ensure safety for Norway and its population," says Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ).
Focus on interaction
2026 is the year of total defense, and the exercise will particularly focus on the interaction between civilian and military resources. A strong and resilient civil society is necessary for military operations, including access to ports, airports, road networks, and health services.
NATO takes the defense of Norway and our areas seriously
"Cold Response is an important exercise in the year of total defense. The civilian society must be prepared to handle serious crises and war together with the Armed Forces and our allies," says Director Elisabeth Aarsæther at the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection.
The exercise increases military activity on roads, in terrain, and in the airspace. Temporary restrictions are introduced for other air traffic, including drones.
Traffic affected
The activity mainly takes place in the area of Evenes-Bjerkvik-Nordkjosbotn in Northern Norway.
Here is an overview of which roads are particularly affected.
The exercise starts on March 9th, but there will be increased military traffic already in the week before, especially in the Narvik area when allied forces arrive in Norway.
The Armed Forces say that drivers must be prepared for delays, and the military police may temporarily stop civilian traffic for safety reasons. Both the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Armed Forces will bring forth more information during the exercise about which areas are particularly affected.
Serious business
The exercise is a natural part of Arctic Sentry, NATO's new military initiative for the Arctic and the High North.
"NATO will use the exercise to show that the alliance takes the defense of Norway and our areas seriously," says Vice Admiral Andersen.
"Arctic Sentry leverages the strength of the alliance by gathering NATO's and the allies' activities in the Arctic into an overarching operational approach to the region. These are activities, such as Cold Response, which involve thousands of personnel and the equipment they need to successfully operate in the Arctic environment," says Andersen.
Close to people
The exercise will take place close to the civilian community in large parts of Northern Norway. This means that the forces will train where people live, use the roads, firing ranges, and hiking areas, with activity on land, at sea, and in the air.
"People's willingness to defend is crucial for the nation's and NATO's defense capability, and we are completely dependent on good cooperation with civilian authorities and the local population. So in advance, thank you for the patience, helpfulness, and all the friendly smiles the local population sends to the soldiers," says Andersen.
