Major German Maritime Live-Fire Exercise off Andøya, Northern Norway Ten German naval vessels are now practicing live-fire with missiles, torpedoes, and artillery off the coast of Andøya in Northern Norway. This is the German Navy's largest firing exercise in decades.
Extensive Training Activity in the High North With US Carrier Strike Group The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has recently been training with Norwegian and other allied forces off the coast of Northern Norway. "Our partnership with US forces is close despite changes in US security policy," says the Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Formidable Shield 2025: "One of NATO's Most Important Deterrence Exercises This Year" Today, around 2,500 soldiers from ten NATO nations began a highly relevant air and missile defense exercise at Andøya, Northern Norway. "The war in Ukraine shows the significance of being able to protect the airspace," says spokesperson at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Formidable Shield 2025: "One of NATO's Most Important Deterrence Exercises This Year" Today, around 2,500 soldiers from ten NATO nations began a highly relevant air and missile defense exercise at Andøya, Northern Norway. "The war in Ukraine shows the significance of being able to protect the airspace," says spokesperson at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway This year's largest military exercise in Norway kicked off on Monday. Norwegian forces are now practicing on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. "Even more important in light of today’s uncertain security situation," says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.
Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway This year's largest military exercise in Norway kicked off on Monday. Norwegian forces are now practicing on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. "Even more important in light of today’s uncertain security situation," says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.
US, UK and Norwegian Air Forces Exercise in the High North: F-35s Integrate With B-52 Fighters, bombers, and surveillance aircraft from the US, the UK, and Norway are now exercising to protect the High North. "The Arctic is a critical region for our collective security and global stability," says the commander of US Air Forces in Europe.
US Aircraft Carrier Truman Trains With Norwegian Forces in the High North The USS Harry S. Truman and its fighters are now conducting interoperability training with Norwegian forces in Northern Norway. "This demonstrates our allies’ ability and willingness to defend Norwegian areas of interest in the North,” says the Commander of the 132nd Air Wing at Ørland Air Station.
Northern Viking: Practicing the Defense of Iceland and Sea Routes in the North Atlantic On Monday, the US-led defense exercise Northern Viking kicked off in Iceland. Allied forces and Icelandic preparedness agencies are practicing securing critical national infrastructure and the sea lines of communication in the Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom (GIUK) gap.
The Russian Northern Fleet on This Year's Arctic Voyage On Monday, a group of naval vessels headed out for the Northern Fleet's annual long voyage in the Arctic Ocean. Their primary mission is to defend Russia's communications at sea and maritime economic activities in the Arctic. The marine force will also exercise with anti-submarine aircraft and coastal-based missile forces.
Norway’s Parliament Agrees to Give the US Access to New Military Areas in the North On Thursday, the Norwegian parliament voted in favor of giving US forces unimpeded access to several additional military areas, not least in the North. Norway should keep up with Sweden and Finland, recommended the Norwegian Intelligence Service – while others express concern for the policy that aims for low tension in the High North.
Norway’s Parliament Agrees to Give the US Access to New Military Areas in the North On Thursday, the Norwegian parliament voted in favor of giving US forces unimpeded access to several additional military areas, not least in the North. Norway should keep up with Sweden and Finland, recommended the Norwegian Intelligence Service – while others express concern for the policy that aims for low tension in the High North.
Pentagon’s Upcoming New Arctic Strategy: "We Talk To Norway, Finland, and Sweden a Lot" Washington D.C. (High North News): The US DoD's new Arctic strategy is right around the corner. It has been developed in close dialogue with allies – not least the Northern Nordics, says Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson. She expresses admiration for Norway's 'double strategy' on balancing deterrence and reassurance in the North.
Pentagon’s Upcoming New Arctic Strategy: "We Talk To Norway, Finland, and Sweden a Lot" Washington D.C. (High North News): The US DoD's new Arctic strategy is right around the corner. It has been developed in close dialogue with allies – not least the Northern Nordics, says Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson. She expresses admiration for Norway's 'double strategy' on balancing deterrence and reassurance in the North.
Pentagon’s Upcoming New Arctic Strategy: "We Talk To Norway, Finland, and Sweden a Lot" Washington D.C. (High North News): The US DoD's new Arctic strategy is right around the corner. It has been developed in close dialogue with allies – not least the Northern Nordics, says Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson. She expresses admiration for Norway's 'double strategy' on balancing deterrence and reassurance in the North.
USA and Norway: Will Build Satellite Station at Andøya For Early Missile Warning US-Norwegian defense cooperation is taking off, including into space. The countries want to collaborate on space-based missile defense in the Arctic – with a unique base in Andøya, Northern Norway. A key aspect is to develop capabilities for cruise missile early warning in the High North.
Norway's Response to the Gravity: Four Main Measures to Strengthen the Armed Forces The Norwegian government has proposed a new long-term plan on defense. At the top of the agenda is reinforcing the navy, land forces and air defense as well as situational awareness, particularly in the North. “A stronger national defense will contribute to deter those who might wish to threaten our sovereignty,’ says the PM.
UK Aircraft Carrier in the North: “A Formidable Show of Strength” The British HMS Prince of Wales is now the third allied aircraft carrier sailing in Northern Norwegian waters in under a year. The ship serves as a floating air station during the coordinated Joint Warrior and Nordic Response exercises. With this, NATO is showing great strength, says Norway's Air Force chief.
Finland's President and Norway's PM at Nordic Response: “A Historic Day for Many Reasons” Sweden’s brand new NATO membership was highlighted by Norway’s PM and Finland’s president during their visit to the Nordic Response exercise in Northern Norway. This exercise and this visit are also events of historical importance, they said and heralded even stronger Nordic cooperation.
US Strategic Bombers Deployed in Northern Sweden Two US Air Force B-1B Lancers are now operating out of Luleå-Kallax Air Base in Northern Sweden. “In these uneasy times when NATO membership is imminent, it is important to have committed partners," says the Chief of the Swedish Air Force, Major General Jonas Wikman.
Nordic Response: Over 20 000 Soldiers From 13 Nations Will Practice Defending NATO's Northern Flank In March, Norwegian, Finnish, and Swedish forces will practice defending allied territory in the High North – reinforced by allies from North America and south of Europe. Major military operations have been planned at sea, on land, and in the air. Russia has been informed about the exercise but has not been invited as an observer.
Russia’s Forces in the High North: Weakened by the War, Yet Still A Multidomain Threat Russian land forces in the High North are severely weakened by the war in Ukraine, while the sea and air forces have largely maintained normal activity levels, says researcher Katarzyna Zysk. The Northern Fleet is also being supplied with new vessels and weapons.
Sweden and Finland Have Negotiated Bilateral Defense Agreements With the USA "We also go hand in hand when it comes to bilateral defense cooperation with the US," says Sweden's MoD Pål Jonson. He refers to Finland and Sweden having concluded negotiations with the US on bilateral defense cooperation agreements and are looking forward to a strong American presence in the region.
US Researchers: Look to Norway for Insights on Managing the Relationship with Russia Reykjavik (High North News): "We can obtain better security in the Arctic by looking to Norway," says Michael Peterson, referring to the Norwegian clarity and predictability vis-à-vis Russia. Peterson is a professor at the US Naval War College.
Russia Conducted Nuclear Exercise in the North Russia's nuclear forces have practiced launching ballistic missiles in the Barents Sea and the Arkhangelsk region, according to the Kremlin on Wednesday. After a parliamentary decision the same day, the country will soon be out of the nuclear testing moratorium. At the same time, NATO has just concluded its nuclear exercise in Southern Europe.
Frequent Submarine Calls in Tromsø – New US Nuclear Submarine on Logistical Stop On Monday, the American submarine USS Washington docked in the Port of Grøtsund, Tromsø in Northern Norway. This is the eighth allied submarine visit at the port this year – and takes place shortly after the call of USS Florida, as well as the French submarine FNS Améthyste.
“Security in the Arctic is of Greatest Interest to France,” says French Commander The French Navy's nuclear submarine and support vessel which recently docked in Tromsø, Northern Norway, have carried out long-term missions in the North Atlantic. This shows France's allied commitment to security in northern areas and desire to learn more about them, asserts French Commander.
Increased Allied Military Presence in Iceland Iceland has recently welcomed German fighters, US strategic bombers – as well as the commander of both the US Air Forces in Europe and NATO's Air Command. At the same time, Russian strategic bombers have carried out two sorties in the High North.
Increased Allied Military Presence in Iceland Iceland has recently welcomed German fighters, US strategic bombers – as well as the commander of both the US Air Forces in Europe and NATO's Air Command. At the same time, Russian strategic bombers have carried out two sorties in the High North.
American and Finnish Air Forces Train Together in the High North This week, American and Finnish air forces are co-training in Lapland, Northern Finland. The aim is to strengthen the Finnish Air Force's ability to provide host nation support and develop interoperability with NATO allies.
Tenth Visit by American Submarines in Grøtsund, Tromsø On Monday, an American submarine docked in the Port of Grøtsund, Tromsø. The US destroyer Thomas Hudner has also recently docked at a port in this city. Perhaps the submarine is, as the destroyer, part of the US Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.
US Carrier Strike Group Trained With British and Norwegian Forces in the High North Recently, the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford with escort vessels, has co-trained with British and Norwegian forces – primarily in the Vestfjord, Northern Norway. An American destroyer has also sailed outside the Finnmark coast and is now docked in Tromsø.
US Strategic Bombers and Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Participates In Arctic Challenge Exercise On Monday, American B-1B strategic bombers and USS Gerald R. Ford's air wing co-trained with Norwegian F-35 fighters in the High North. This took place within the framework of the major Nordic live air exercise Arctic Challenge.
US Strategic Bombers and Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Participates In Arctic Challenge Exercise On Monday, American B-1B strategic bombers and USS Gerald R. Ford's air wing co-trained with Norwegian F-35 fighters in the High North. This took place within the framework of the major Nordic live air exercise Arctic Challenge.
Russian Strategic Bombers With New Flight Over the Western Barents Sea On Monday, two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers flew in international airspace over the western part of the Barents Sea. They were accompanied by four MiG-31 fighter jets, as well as two II-78 tanker aircraft. The group was identified by Norwegian F-35 fighter jets.
US Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to Operate in the High North The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, and its fleet group will co-train with Norwegian forces in Arctic waters. "I am looking forward to our joint operations on NATO's northern flank," says the commander of the US Sixth Fleet.
The Russian Northern Fleet With Frequent Exercises in the Barents Sea and the White Sea This week, the Russian Northern Fleet's destroyer Admiral Ushakov practices live-fire shooting in the Barents Sea – and the anti-submarine ship Onega practices submarine hunting in the White Sea. With this, the fleet has carried out 11 smaller exercises so far in May.
Arctic Challenge Exercise 2023: 150 Aircraft Will Train In the High North At the end of May, the large-scale fighter jet exercise Arctic Challenge Exercise will begin across Norway, Finland, and Sweden. The main activity will take place in the High North – and will include the first major F-35 exercise in Europe.
Expects Increased Russian Naval Activity in Norway’s Maritime Areas The Norwegian Armed Forces is now keeping an eye on several vessels from the Russian Northern Fleet in international waters in the North Sea. In the time coming, major allied and Russian military activity is expected in Norway's sea areas, reports the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
American-Led Maritime Live-Fire Exercise in the Works off Andøya, Northern Norway In May, naval vessels from Norway and several NATO allies will practice missile defense in North Norwegian waters. The exercise, called Formidable Shield, will be led by the US Sixth Fleet.
Identified Group of Russian Military Aircraft off the Coast of Finnmark, Northern Norway Earlier this week, Russian strategic bombers, fighters, and tanker aircraft were identified by the Norwegian Air Force in international airspace off the coast of Finnmark. The group is to have carried out a longer flight over the Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea.
The Nordic Region Strengthens Double-Edged Defense Cooperation With the US While Norway's new defense agreement with the US is implemented, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark are negotiating similar agreements with Washington D.C. The agreements are meant to provide quicker and more efficient American support if needed but can also facilitate unpredictable presence.
Norwegian Army Practicing Sharpshooting in the High North This week, the Norwegian Army’s sharpshooting exercise Thunderbolt takes place in Finnmark, Norway. Similar exercise activity was recently conducted in Troms with British participation.
Allied Maritime Sharpshooting Exercise Started Monday off Andøy Island, Norway This week, eight marine vessels from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands are to practice sharpshooting in North Norwegian waters off Andøy Island during the Mjølner exercise. The Norwegian army is also to participate in the exercise for the first time, using its new combat air defense.
Danish Missile Test Launch in the Night Before Thursday, New Allied Marine Exercise in the North Coming Up In the night leading up to Thursday, the Danish frigate Niels Juel tested its new air defense missile in a training area off the coast of Andøya Island in Northern Norway, the Danish defense reports. Next week, this vessel along with other allied frigates are to exercise in the North.
