NATO is strengthening the defense of its northern flank with the deployment of additional military forces from the U.K.
Royal Marines will return in force to the Arctic Circle as part of the Lunna House Agreement, a major defense pact signed by the U.K. and Norway in December 2025.
Under the agreement, the U.K.’s Commando Force—led by the Royal Marines—will operate in Norway year-round. They were previously only deployed in the country during the winter months.
Why It Matters
The deployment represents an escalation of NATO forces in the region and serves as the first step in implementing the Lunna House Agreement. NATO is eager to deepen military cooperation in the Arctic as part of an effort to counter rising Russian submarine activity and protect critical undersea infrastructure.
The pact was established with the aim of creating a joint, interchangeable fleet of advanced anti‑submarine frigates in the North Atlantic. This deployment of additional U.K. forces in Norway starts that process and serves as a response to concerns over Russia’s continued military build-up in the Arctic and growing military cooperation between Russia and China, giving NATO qualitative advantage in the region.
The additional deployment also sends a clear message about the U.K.’s commitment to defending a close NATO ally, Norway, with Royal Marines in place and ready should a combat situation arise in the one of the world’s most-inhospitable environments—the Norwegian Arctic.
What To Know
The U.K. Commando Force previously established an operations hub, Camp Viking, in the village of Øverbygd, 40 miles south of Tromsø, in 2023. This year, the team will return with a deployment of 1,500 personnel, along with all-terrain vehicles and helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force.
The commandos will operate across the coastlines and mountains of Northern Norway and take part in Exercise Cold Response—the largest military exercises in the country in 2026. It has been organized to serve as a demonstration of the unity of NATO and the alliance’s ability to deter threats in the high north.
The U.K. forces will operate closely not only with their Norwegian hosts, but also Marines from the Netherlands, as they train to defend this strategically important region across fjords and mountains.
What People Are Saying
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Armstrong, Commanding Officer 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, said: "The UK Commando Force is stepping up readiness to war-fight alongside our allies in the High North. As NATO’s cold-weather specialists, we are ruthlessly focused on mission rehearsals with our closest partners. Fusing intelligence, bold commando tactics, and cutting-edge technology—we remain poised for operations."
Back in October 2024, the chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer expressed his concerns about Russia’s continued military build-up in the region: "NATO will defend its interests in the Arctic. We have a responsibility to protect all our Allies, including the seven here in this region. And we want to uphold the international rules-based order, which includes freedom of navigation," Admiral Bauer said.
What Happens Next
The arrival of additional U.K. military forces in Norway is only the beginning. Under the Lunna House Agreement, the U.K. and Norway will be investing in a raft of military initiatives in the region. These investments will include weapons, and programs for the development of undersea warfare systems and uncrewed mine-hunting.
The two countries will also collaborate on developing autonomous vehicles for patrolling the depths while establishing an interchangeable fleet of at least 13 Type 26 frigates.