Over 2,000 U.K. Commando Force personnel joined NATO allies in Northern Norway to train in extreme cold weather warfare tactics earlier this year. According to the Royal Navy, the months-long training culminated in Exercise Joint Viking, a multinational exercise designed to demonstrate the ability of allied forces to operate cohesively in challenging Arctic conditions.
During the exercise, marines from the Royal Navy’s 45 Commando launched night raids on Senja Island from the amphibious ship RFA Lyme Bay, deploying Merlin and Wildcat helicopters and small raiding craft. The marines conducted reconnaissance patrols and strikes on simulated enemy positions, clearing the way for the larger allied force to land and ultimately capture the port of Sørreisa. The drills involved 10,000 troops from nine nations, including the United States, Canada, Germany and host country Norway.
“Exercise Joint Viking has allowed the U.K. Commando Force to deepen its multilateral partnerships, working with key allies as we seek to deter Russia on NATO’s Northern Flank,” said Commander James Smith of the Commander Amphibious Task Force, which led the exercise. He added that the commandos demonstrated their flexibility and adaptability in challenging conditions and praised the contributions of all personnel involved from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Army and Air Force.
This show of force in the Arctic comes amid heightened regional tensions. In September 2024, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia’s commitment to defending its Arctic interests through diplomatic and military means, citing concerns about increased NATO military exercises. That same month, air force leaders from the U.S., Sweden and Norway stressed the need for enhanced cooperation and technological innovation in the far north, pointing to Moscow’s growing military footprint, including its use of icebreakers, surface vessels and locally produced drones. They also revealed plans for a third Combined Air Operations Center in the region to improve NATO’s coordination and response capabilities.