The United Kingdom has opened a new military base in the far north of Norway to strengthen NATO's capabilities in the Arctic region. The new base, called Camp Viking, will serve as a hub for

Royal Marines Commandos, who are described as "the tip of the Arctic spear" and the unit the UK turns to when it needs troops able to fight in cold weather extremes. The base, located around 40 miles (65 kilometers) south of Tromso, has been purpose-built to accommodate all personnel from the elite commando-led Royal Marines force. It will be able to accommodate up to a thousand commandos who will be deployed to the base this winter.

The establishment of the new base comes amid growing concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Norway, which borders Russia, refuses to host permanent bases for foreign soldiers. Therefore, Camp Viking is due to remain open for just a decade. The base will be used to support Britain's commandos for the next 10 years as the UK underscores its commitment to security in the High North.

The camp's location is ideal for deterring threats in the region and situated so the UK can respond rapidly if needed to protect NATO's northern flank and its close ally, Norway. The purpose of the base is to provide a rapid response capability for NATO and its allies in the region. As a founding member of NATO, Norway regularly hosts allied troops for combat training in extreme cold.

Norway has provided Ukraine with a wide range of military equipment, including artillery and ammunition. The Ukraine conflict prompted its eastern neighbors Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership in May 2022, turning the page on policies of military non-alignment that have been in force for decades.

In a comment to AFP, Norway's defense ministry said the facility had previously been used by NATO allies and then Dutch Marines. "The camp is Norwegian and financed through Norwegian infrastructure and operational funds," a ministry spokeswoman said.

The UK's move to establish a military base in Norway is part of a wider effort to strengthen NATO's presence in the Arctic region. The Arctic has become an area of increasing strategic importance as climate change opens up new shipping lanes and access to resources. The UK's new base will provide a vital forward operating base for NATO's northern flank and help to deter any potential threats in the region.

In conclusion, the UK's new military base in Norway is a significant move in strengthening NATO's capabilities in the Arctic region. The base will serve as a hub for Royal Marines Commandos, who are the UK's elite cold-weather troops. The base is strategically located to provide a rapid response capability for NATO and its allies in the region. It is part of a wider effort to strengthen NATO's presence in the Arctic region, which has become an area of increasing strategic importance. The UK's new base will help to deter any potential threats in the region and provide a vital forward operating base for NATO's northern flank. Photo by POA(Phot) Sean Clee/MOD, Wikimedia commons.