UK will bolster troops in Norway to counter Russian threat

The UK government has pledged to double its military presence in Norway over the next three years to counter what it describes as the greatest threat to Arctic security since the Cold War.

Defence Secretary John Healey announced on Wednesday 11 February 2026, that British troop numbers in the region will rise from 1,000 to 2,000. The announcement was made during a visit to Camp Viking, a Royal Marine forward base in the Norwegian Arctic.

🛡️ Strengthening the High North

The surge in personnel is part of a broader strategy to deter Russian aggression, with the Kremlin reportedly reopening Soviet-era bases and increasing submarine activity in the North Atlantic by 30% over the last two years.

NATO Arctic Sentry: The UK will play a leading role in this newly launched NATO mission. Military planning is currently underway at NATO headquarters in Brussels to coordinate allied efforts across the High North.
Exercise Cold Response (March 2026): Around 1,500 Royal Marine Commandos will join 25,000 troops from 14 nations for major drills in Norway, Finland, and Sweden. This exercise is designed to test the alliance's ability to defend its northern flank in extreme sub-zero conditions.
Exercise Lion Protector (September 2026): This UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) operation will involve air, land, and naval forces from several nations. The focus will be on protecting critical infrastructure—such as pipelines and cables—across Norway, Iceland, and the Danish Straits.

⚓ The Lunna House Agreement

The troop increase follows the historic Lunna House Agreement signed between the UK and Norway in December 2025.

Submarine Hunting: The two nations will now operate an "interchangeable" fleet of Type 26 frigates (eight British and five Norwegian) specifically tasked with tracking Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.
Joint Infrastructure Protection: The agreement allows both navies to share maintenance facilities and technology, effectively operating as a single force to protect the underwater cables and pipelines that carry vital energy and communications to Europe.

🌍 Arctic Geopolitics

The move comes at a time of heightened tension in the region. While a recent diplomatic row saw President Donald Trump suggest the US might "take over" Greenland, he appears to have since backed down from more extreme rhetoric. However, the UK and its European allies have made it clear that they intend to take greater responsibility for their own regional security as the US shifts some of its focus elsewhere.