NATO Should Follow Up Success on the Eastern Flank in the Arctic, says UK Foreign Secretary Bardufoss, Northern Norway (High North News): NATO allies should launch stronger coordination and cooperation as part of an Arctic sentry, inspired by joint efforts for enhanced presence in the Baltic Sea and on the Eastern flank, said UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to HNN last Thursday.
UK's Foreign Minister to Urge NATO to Focus on Arctic in Finland and Norway Visit Travelling to Finland and Northern Norway, the UK's Foreign Secretary will call on NATO to step up its work in the Arctic to protect Euro-Atlantic interests in the region.
Norway and Greenland Agree on Fisheries Cooperation and Quota Exchange Norway and Greenland have reached a quota agreement for 2026, reporting a reduction in the quotas from 2025.
Norway Assumes Leadership of NORDEFCO On January 1st, Norway assumed leadership of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) after Finland. War in Europe and heightened uncertainty have increased the significance of cooperation. "Europe can not take security for granted," says Norway's Minister of Defense, Tore O. Sandvik.
Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Agreement for 2026: "Noteworthy," says researcher Despite the demanding backdrop, Norway and Russia reached a fisheries agreement for 2026 this week. FNI Researcher Geir Hønneland underscores that this year's agreement shows how vital the fisheries agreement is to Russia. The Norwegian Fishermen's Association's leader, Jan Roger Lerbukt, says the agreement continues to further stability.
Who to Trust? Danish or Norwegian Intelligence? Comment: We are about to close on a turbulent year, to put it mildly. It might have been the most turbulent any of us can remember. So let us hope that next year offers something different, such as the Arctic remaining a region without armed conflict.
Norway and Russia Have Reached a Fisheries Agreement for 2026 After much uncertainty regarding this year's fisheries negotiations, Norway and Russia reached a fisheries agreement for 2026 on Thursday. The parties have agreed on a continued decline in the quota for the important cod in the Barents Sea, among other things.
Norway to Expand Submarine Fleet With Two Additional German-Built Boats to Counter Rising Russian Threat The Norwegian government supports the acquisition of two additional submarines from Germany, boosting its order with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to six boats; a move intended to strengthen Norway’s deterrence and surveillance capacity in the North Atlantic and Barents Sea.
Fisheries Negotiations Between Norway and Russia Has Started This week, the Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission will meet for digital fisheries negotiations for the important stocks in the Barents Sea. This year's process regarding the negotiations has been more demanding than in the past.
Historic Defense Agreement between Norway and the UK Norway and the UK have signed an extensive defense agreement. One of the central points in the agreement involves British forces having a greater role in the defense of Norway.
Norway, European Defence, and The Future of The Nordic Welfare Model Norway, European defence, and the Future of the Nordic welfare model - What the European Banking Federation report reveals about Europe’s most crucial non EU defence partner.
EU Parliament Charts New Arctic Course, With Norway and Other Arctic Partners at the Center The Parliament of the European Union adopted a new Arctic resolution warning of military buildup and highlighting the need for cooperation with Nordic partners, including Norway, to ready itself for the coming geopolitical competition. The measures passed with a broad majority of 510 votes for, 75 against, and 80 abstentions.
No New Structure for Northern Nordic Cooperation in Sight? Rovaniemi, Finland (High North News): At the end of the year, Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, and the search for a new cooperation framework has so far not yielded any tangible results. “I really hope that we find a common path forward,” says Hanna Honkamäkilä in the Council of Oulu Region.
Finland Seeks Allied Cooperation on Space-Based Surveillance in the High North Finland is building up satellite surveillance capability and wants to join forces with allies to strengthen collective defense, said Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen at NATO's Arctic Space Forum. Key Finnish and Swedish space actors have already signed a letter of intent on cooperation.
Norway and Russia Have Agreed on Date for Fisheries Negotiations After much uncertainty, this year's fisheries negotiations between Norway and Russia will now be held digitally at the start of December.
We Went to Greenland When the Noise Had Quieted Down Dear reader. International media have been quiet about Greenland ever since the journalists, who were led in droves by Donald Trump, went back home. We went to Greenland to gauge the mood after the noise had quieted down.
Nordic Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Defense Gathered to Enhance Joint Combat Power All Nordic defense ministers and chiefs of defense recently met in Helsinki. A key topic was the development of air forces capable of combined operations. “This is important for strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense in the High North,” says Antti Häkkänen, Finnish Minister of Defense.
Northern Nordic Military Leaders Gathered to Bolster Cooperation The commanders of Norway, Finland and Sweden's northern brigades and home guard forces recently met in Troms, Northern Norway, to forge even closer ties. “This cooperation significantly improves our defense capabilities in the North,” says Terje Bruøygard, Commander of the Norwegian Brigade North.
The Norwegian Government Proposes Defense Budget Increase of NOK 4,2 Billion in 2026 With the proposed increase, Norway will spend NOK 112 billion on national defense in 2026. In Northern Norway, there are i.a. plans for investments in property, buildings, and facilities of about NOK 3,2 billion.
Norway Arms Itself... But Who Will Pay The Bill? Rising defense spending puts pressure on the welfare state and on taxpayers, says Ioanna Liouta, political and economic analyst.
Arctic Tide: British Royal Marines Practiced Amphibious Operations in the High North The British Royal Navy recently practiced deploying, protecting, and resupplying special forces in Troms, Northern Norway, within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force.
Come Inside a Home Guard Defense Exercise in the Norwegian Arctic Porsanger (High North News): Join Norway's northernmost home guard district - HV17 - on an exercise at Garrison Porsangmoen, in the Norwegian Arctic.
A Perfect Storm: When Healthcare and Defense Competes for the Same Youths Comment (Porsangmoen og Sodankyle): A perfect storm is brewing in the North. Soon, two of our most important public agencies will fight for the same workforce. Without drastic measures, one of them, perhaps both, will be left as losers.
VIDEO: High North News Aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford Watch some of the highlights from High North News' visit to the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford. The American aircraft carrier operated in the North Sea in connection with the NATO activity, Neptune Strike 25-3.
Norwegian Armed Forces and the Russian FSB Met for Border Cooperation Talks On Tuesday, the chiefs of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters and the Russian FSB’s Border Directorate for the Western Arctic Region met in Kirkenes. "This meeting activity is important as one of the very few remaining communication channels between Norway and Russia," says the NJHQ Chief.
Major Nordic Rescue Exercise in Northern Finland This week, the Rescue Borealis exercise takes place in Oulu, Northern Finland. It will develop the preparedness cooperation across Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and specifically test joint response to CBRN threats.
Russia’s Violations of Norwegian and Allied Airspace: “Sign of Desperation,” Says Professor Russia has violated Norway's airspace in the North three times this year, as well as the airspace of several other NATO countries. This suggests that the war in Ukraine is going much worse than Moscow wants to admit, says Professor Tormod Heier at the Norwegian Defense University College.
Norway to Monitor Airborne Radioactivity in Svalbard From October 1st, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority will take over the operations of an air filter station near Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard. “This will be particularly important for nuclear preparedness in the north,” says section leader in the agency.
Denmark, Greenland and Iceland's Reactions To Trump Oslo (High North News): "Just a year and a half ago, Greenland's foreign policy strategy was basically one big invitation to the US for cooperation. Then Trump destroyed the trust and interest from Greenland," says Ulrik Pram Gad, Senior Researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.
Norway’s Army Chief: No Practical Indications That the US Is Less Interested in Norway Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): Donald Trump has created uncertainty around the US security guarantee, but the practical defense cooperation with the Americans is stable, according to the Chief of the Norwegian Army. Next year's major winter exercise in the High North is expected to have significant US participation.
US and Norway Tested New American Precision Weapon in Northern Norway American and Norwegian forces recently conducted a successful test of Quicksink, a new precision weapon, on a maritime target off Andøya in Northern Norway. "A clear example of how we work with trusted allies to bring new capabilities into play," says US Air Force Colonel Scott Gunn.
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.
Arctic Light 2025: Denmark to Hold Military Exercise in Greenland with NATO Allies On Tuesday, the Danish Armed Forces will commence a major exercise in Greenland, with contributions from France, Germany, Sweden and Norway. The aim is to strengthen Denmark and NATO’s operational readiness in the region, as well as provide support for civil preparedness.
Norway Plans to Establish State Preparedness Hub Near the Border With Russia: "An Important Measure" The Norwegian government wants to strengthen preparedness and state presence in Eastern Finnmark, Northern Norway, with a new hub. This will boost Norway's ability to manage crises in the High North, believes Professor Natalia Andreassen.
Russia Warns Norway of Retaliation Over Fishing Companies Ban: “Must Be Taken Seriously” "The fisheries cooperation between Norway and Russia has survived several previous crises, but none can be compared to the situation we are currently facing," says Anne-Kristin Jørgensen, Senior Researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute.
Norway's High North Strategy: NOK 1 Billion For Polar Research Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): Norway's biggest research project,Arctic Ocean 2050, will be fully funded over the course of ten years, promised Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre on Tuesday. "A fantastic boost for Norwegian and international polar research," responds the Rector at UiT the Arctic University of Norway.
Strengthens the Monitoring of GPS Interference in the High North The Norwegian government is establishing a new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority in Tromsø, Northern Norway. "It is important to strengthen security and preparedness in the High North through the increased presence of the authorities," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance.
Svalbard Archipelago Lost 1% of Glacial Ice During Summer 2024 Heat Wave, New Study Finds Record-level temperatures battered Svalbard during summer of 2024. Researchers have now quantified the damage the heatwave caused: One percent of the archipelago’s ice had disappeared by the end of the summer, enough to raise global sea levels by 0.16mm.
US Military Logistics Leadership Visited the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland recently welcomed the US Armed Forces logistics leadership for meetings focused on the High North. "We discussed which areas are central in logistics planning for conducting operations in the North," says the deputy commander of the Norwegian Defense Logistical Organisation.
Norway Establishes New Brigade in the North The Finnmark Land Defense on NATO’s northern flank has now been developed into the Finnmark Brigade, Norway’s first new brigade since the Cold War. "The aim is to deter those who do not wish us well," says the Norwegian Minister of Defense.
Norway to Inspect Sanctioned Tankers in Efforts To Curb Russian Shadow Fleet Norway has announced to begin inspecting foreign-flagged tankers passing through its waters. The measures follow similar policies by Norway’s European neighbors in an effort to curb Russian shadow fleet activity and ensure that vessels carry appropriate levels of insurance coverage.
Norwegian MoD: Norway Will Participate in Forward Land Forces in Northern Finland Norway will participate in the NATO Forward Land Forces Finland, says Norwegian Minister of Defense Tore O. Sandvik. The enhanced forward presence in Finland will be the first of its kind in the Nordic region.
New Study Aims to Put Arctic Food on the Global Menu A new Canada–Norway study aims to highlight Arctic food innovation — with potential to improve food security and create jobs in northern communities.
The Major Arctic Challenge Exercise 2025 is Cancelled The fighter jet exercise Arctic Challenge was to take place in May-June across Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark, with US participation. The decision to cancel the exercise was made in unity by the Nordic air force chiefs, informs the Norwegian Air Force.
“Our Goal Is to Maintain the Arctic as a Stable Place” Reitan (High North News): Norway and the Nordic region are about to be placed under NATO's Joint Force Command Norfolk in the US. Its establishment in 2019 was a response to a resurgent Russia operating in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. "Events since have only reinforced and validated the decision to establish the command," says the JFC Norfolk commander.
Opened State Fund in Tromsø, Northern Norway Tromsø (High North News): On Monday, the Norwegian Minister of Finance Jens Stoltenberg opened the State Fund in Tromsø, which will invest in Nordic small-cap listed companies. This establishment will strengthen Northern Norway's financial environment, says Stoltenberg.
NATO Secretary General’s Visit to Norway: Increased Focus on the High North Within the Alliance Ramsund and Evenes (High North News): NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte gained in-depth insight into the security situation in the High North when he visited Northern Norway last week. He also got to see how Norwegian and allied forces work together. A very important visit, says Rutte.
NATO Secretary General’s Visit to Norway: Increased Focus on the High North Within the Alliance Ramsund and Evenes (High North News): NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte gained in-depth insight into the security situation in the High North when he visited Northern Norway last week. He also got to see how Norwegian and allied forces work together. A very important visit, says Rutte.
EU Sanctions Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels Routinely Passing Through Norwegian Waters, Stopping at Honningsvåg A liquefied natural gas carrier working for Russia’s Yamal LNG project stopped in Honningsvåg in Northern Norway last week. Now the EU has sanctioned the vessel. Will Norwegian authorities put an end to allowing Russian LNG vessels resupplying in the country’s ports?
