The UK is significantly strengthening its military presence in the Arctic and High North, responding to what ministers describe as the most serious Russian threat to
the region since the Cold War.
During a visit to Royal Marine Commandos at Camp Viking inside the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that Britain will double the number of troops deployed to Norway over the next three years — increasing from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel.
The move comes as the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) steps up military activity across Northern Europe and the North Atlantic, underlining NATO’s renewed focus on Arctic security.
UK takes leading role in Arctic defence
The Defence Secretary announced that UK Armed Forces will play a central role in NATO’s forthcoming 'Arctic Sentry' mission, with detailed military planning already underway at NATO headquarters. Healey is expected to discuss the proposals further with fellow defence ministers at NATO HQ in Brussels later this week.
Alongside this, Britain will lead preparations for Exercise Lion Protector, a major JEF operation scheduled for September 2026. The exercise will involve air, land and naval forces training across Iceland, Norway and the Danish Straits, focusing on the protection of critical national infrastructure and strengthening joint command and control.
Hundreds of personnel from JEF nations will deploy across the High North and North Atlantic, aimed at boosting deterrence and resilience in the face of increased threats and sabotage risks.
Rising concern over Russian activity
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said: “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.
“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.
“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”.
Major exercises already underway
As part of this year’s build-up, around 1,500 Royal Marine Commandos will deploy to Norway in March for NATO’s Exercise Cold Response. The large-scale drill, taking place across Norway, Finland and Sweden, will test allied forces’ ability to defend strategically vital terrain, including fjords, mountains and Arctic infrastructure.
The exercises follow the Lunna House Agreement, signed with Norway in December, which commits both countries to closer defence cooperation. The agreement includes joint operation of submarine-hunting Type 26 warships, expanded Arctic training, and the pre-positioning of British military equipment in Norway to improve readiness for future crises.
Long-term defence investment
The Arctic push sits within the government’s wider defence strategy, which includes the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. UK defence spending is set to reach 2.6% of GDP from 2027, aimed at reinforcing NATO’s collective security.
The Strategic Defence Review has also highlighted the need for Britain to strengthen NATO’s deterrence posture in Northern Europe and the High North.
With more than 50 years of Arctic operating experience, and deepening partnerships with Norway, Sweden and Finland, the UK is positioning itself at the forefront of NATO’s northern defence — signalling that the Arctic is once again a central front in European security. Photo by Pink floyd88 a, Wikimedia commons.