UK Expands Military Presence in Norway Amid Rising Russian Threats

Wed Feb 11 2026 14:26:34 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a strategic move to enhance Arctic security, the UK will double its troop deployment in Norway to counter increasing Russian military activity in the region. The commitment reflects growing concerns within NATO about Russia's resurgence in the Arctic, including the reactivation of old Cold War bases.

The UK plans to double its troop presence in Norway from 1,000 to 2,000 over the next three years as part of efforts to address growing concerns about Russian military activities in the Arctic. The Defence Secretary emphasized that Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic security since the Cold War, prompting enhanced military cooperation and exercises among NATO allies.

The number of British troops in Norway will double over the next three years as part of efforts to combat Russian threats in the High North.

Defence Secretary John Healey stated that the number of armed forces personnel stationed in the Arctic nation would rise from around 1,000 to 2,000.

This commitment follows increasing concern among NATO allies regarding Russia's activities in the Arctic, including the reopening of old Cold War bases and a growing military presence in the region.

Healey affirmed, 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.

As part of the expanded presence, 1,500 Royal Marine Commandos will participate in NATO's Exercise Cold Response in March, which is designed to train allied forces in extreme Arctic conditions. The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will also conduct an exercise known as Lion Protector in September, involving air, land, and naval forces from several European nations.

The UK and its NATO allies have expressed increasing concern about the risk posed by Moscow to underwater cables and pipelines, especially in the wake of heightened tensions following the invasion of Ukraine. As per the Ministry of Defence, there has been a 30% rise in Russian submarines in UK waters over the past two years, with Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic now at levels comparable to the Cold War era.