London: The number of British troops deployed to Norway will double over the next three years as part of efforts to strengthen defenses in the Arctic and High North against Russia. Defence Secretary John Healey announced this during a visit to Royal Marines at Camp Viking in Northern Norway, pledging to increase the UK’s military presence from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel. He also confirmed participation in NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, aimed at boosting regional security.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the move comes amid growing concerns over Russia’s military activity in the Arctic. Healey stated that Moscow poses the most significant threat to Arctic and High North security since the Cold War. He emphasized that demands on defense are rising and highlighted the importance of protecting the Arctic and High North by doubling UK troops in Norway and enhancing joint exercises with NATO allies.
The Arctic Sentry mission is designed to reinforce NATO’s presence and address security concerns, including those previously raised by U.S. President Donald Trump over Greenland. Healey is set to discuss these proposals with NATO counterparts at the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. In March, around 1,500 British commandos are expected to deploy to Norway for NATO’s Exercise Cold Response, with further UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force exercises planned later in the year.
The announcement follows a call for closer European cooperation to deter Russia and support Ukraine by former chief of the defence staff General Sir Nick Carter. In a paper for the Tony Blair Institute, Carter warned of Russia’s sustained campaign of sabotage and subversion across Europe and urged European governments to strengthen military capabilities.
Carter highlighted the growing external threat Europe faces and criticized decades of under-investment in defense. He stressed the importance of Europe’s ability to take rapid collective action to maintain its influence on the international stage. The expanded deployment reflects a strategic shift in the UK’s focus towards the Arctic as NATO allies work to counter Russia’s military footprint in the region.