UK to Double Number of Soldiers in Norway's High North

John Healey and Tore O. Sandvik meet Norwegian and British soldiers in snowy training area at Setermoen.

UK Secretary of State for Defense, John Healey, visits Norwegian and British soldiers at Setermoen together with Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik.

Jan Harald Tomassen / Norwegian Armed Forces.

The UK is to step up defence of Arctic and High North from rising Russian threats, among others doubling the number of British troops deployed to Northern Norway.

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Published 12 February 2026 - 15:37 Modified 13 February 2026 - 15:57

The number of British troops deployed to Norway on a rotiational basis will double over the coming three years from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel.

The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, announced the news this week during a visit to Royal Marine Commandos at Camp Viking in Northern Norway.

Camp Viking was established in Troms, Northern Norway, i n 2023, and serves as an operations hub for the British soldiers.

In December 2025, Norway and the UK signed an historic defense agreement titled "Lunna House" that deepens the cooperation between the countries further, and involves British forces having a greater role in the defense of Norway.

British Marines from 45 Commando disembark a Merlin Mk4 helicopter at a training area in Inner Troms, Northern Norway.

Steps up defence of the Arctic

The UK is stepping up presence in the Arctic and the High North, strengthening security in the region against rising Russian threats, the UK Ministry of Defence writes in a press release.

"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," said Defence Secretary Healey.

"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," he added.

Planning of 'Arctic Sentry' underway

The Defence Secretary furthermore noted that UK Armed Forces will play a vital part in the NATO Arctic Sentry mission, with military planning underway.

On Thursday, Healey will join Defence Ministers at NATO Headquarters in Brussels to further discuss the proposals.

As HNN reported this week, NATO launched the Arctic Sentry mission to bolster security and presence in the Arctic region. The NATO-operation will bring together NATO and Allied activities into one, overarching operational approach.

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NATO Launches 'Arctic Sentry' to Enhance Presence in the Region

Announces increased activity in the High North

Defence Secretary Healey also confirmed that 1,500 Royal Marine Commandos are deploying to Norway for the Norwegian-led exercise Cold Response which will take place in March.

Additionally, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) confirms major military activity in the High North later this year, states the press release.

The British-led coalition is to conduct Exercise Lion Protector, which will take place in September 2026 and will involve air, land, and naval forces from JEF nations. These are to train to protect critical national infrastructure from attacks and sabotage and enhance their joint command and control capabilities.

"Cold Response and Lion Protector will this year see thousands of troops deploy across the Arctic and North Atlantic – with the UK leading the way. We train together, we deter together, and if necessary, we will fight together," Healey said in closing.