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 about Russia's activities in the Arctic, including the reopening of old Cold War bases and a growing military presence in the region.
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, Healey emphasized.
The Defence Secretary will meet with NATO counterparts at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels to further discuss the proposed military enhancements.
In the context of this expanded presence, 1,500 Royal Marine Commandos are set to participate in NATO's Exercise Cold Response in March, a large-scale drill designed to train forces in extreme Arctic conditions across Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will also conduct an exercise known as Lion Protector in September, aimed at training armed forces to defend critical infrastructure against potential attacks across Norway, Iceland, and the Danish straits.
Concerns have grown regarding Russian activities in submarine operations, as there has been a reported 30% increase in Russian submarine presence in UK waters over the past two years.
