ROYAL MARINES STRENGTHEN NATO’S NORTHERN DEFENCES WITH MAJOR ARCTIC DEPLOYMENT – Conservative Post

The Royal Marines are returning to the Arctic Circle in significant numbers as the United Kingdom and Norway deepen their military partnership and reinforce NATO’s northern defences.

A new bilateral agreement marks a major step forward in cooperation between the two allies, allowing the UK Commando Force, led by the Royal Marines, to operate in Norway throughout the year. This expands on decades of winter training and signals a permanent strengthening of Britain’s presence in the High North.

Both nations are investing in shared military capabilities, including advanced weapons, uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems, and autonomous platforms designed to patrol beneath the surface. The partnership also supports closer cooperation at sea through an interchangeable fleet of Type 26 frigates.

The Lunna House agreement underlines the UK’s commitment to the defence of Norway and to NATO’s collective security, while ensuring British forces are prepared to fight and survive in one of the harshest environments on earth, the Norwegian Arctic.

The Royal Marines play a central role in this effort. As the UK’s specialists in cold weather and mountain warfare, they have spent more than half a century mastering operations in the region. Their history in Norway dates back to the Second World War, when commandos carried out bold raids against occupying forces.

In 2023 the UK Commando Force established Camp Viking, an operational hub in the village of Øverbygd, approximately 40 miles south of Tromsø. This year the force returns with around 1,500 personnel, supported by all terrain vehicles and aircraft from Commando Helicopter Force.

Operations will span the rugged coastline and mountainous interior of Northern Norway. The deployment will also include participation in Exercise Cold Response 2026, the largest military exercise conducted in the country, designed to demonstrate NATO solidarity and its ability to deter aggression in the High North.

British forces will train side by side with Norwegian troops and marines from the Netherlands, rehearsing the defence of a strategically vital region defined by fjords, mountains and extreme weather.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Armstrong, Commanding Officer of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, said the UK Commando Force was accelerating its readiness to operate with allies in the Arctic.

He said the force was focused on demanding mission rehearsals, combining intelligence, modern commando tactics and advanced technology to remain prepared for future operations.

The UK Commando Force has undergone extensive modernisation over the past six years, introducing AI enabled targeting, multi domain fires and uncrewed surface vessels, while strengthening international partnerships to maintain its specialist edge.

That transformation continues as the Lunna House plans are implemented, ensuring NATO retains a decisive advantage in the region.

Supporting the ground forces, Yeovilton based Commando Helicopter Force is deploying to Royal Norwegian Air Force Base Bardufoss as part of Operation Clockwork.

Flying Commando Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, the Royal Marines’ aviation arm is highly experienced in Arctic conditions. Operation Clockwork provides their annual refresher in extreme cold weather flying.

Bardufoss is situated around 20 miles west of Camp Viking, a journey that can take more than an hour by road through Arctic terrain, but only minutes by helicopter.