UK Steps up Defence of Arctic and High North From Rising Russian Threats

Why It Matters

The expansion bolsters NATO’s deterrence against Russia’s growing Arctic activity and secures vital sea‑lane and energy routes. It also signals Britain’s renewed strategic focus on high‑north security, influencing regional defense postures.

Key Takeaways

• UK troops in Norway double to 2,000 by 2025.
• Exercise Lion Protector scheduled for September 2026 in High North.
• NATO Arctic Sentry mission includes expanded UK participation.
• Lunna House Agreement adds joint Type‑26 submarine hunting fleet.
• Defence spending to rise to 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

Pulse Analysis

Britain’s decision to double its forces in Norway reflects a broader shift in NATO’s high‑north strategy. As Russia reactivates Cold‑War era bases and expands naval patrols in the Arctic, allied nations are scrambling to reinforce deterrence. The UK’s increased footprint not only augments rapid response capabilities but also deepens interoperability with Norway, Sweden and Finland, ensuring a unified front across the rugged terrain and icy waters that guard Europe’s energy lifelines.

Exercise Lion Protector, slated for 2026, will serve as a practical test of joint command‑and‑control across air, land and sea domains. By integrating forces from multiple JEF nations, the drill aims to protect critical infrastructure—from undersea cables to offshore platforms—against sabotage. The operation also showcases the strategic value of the newly pledged Type‑26 submarine‑hunting fleet under the Lunna House Agreement, which will enhance anti‑submarine warfare in a region where stealthy undersea threats are increasingly prevalent.

The UK’s commitment to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP underscores the political resolve behind these military moves. This budgetary boost funds not only personnel expansions but also advanced Arctic‑capable platforms and logistics hubs. For businesses operating in the North Atlantic and Arctic corridors, the heightened security posture reduces geopolitical risk, stabilises supply chains, and encourages investment in the region’s emerging energy and shipping markets.

UK steps up defence of Arctic and High North from rising Russian threats

Wednesday 11 February

British troops deployed to Norway will double over three years, from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel. The Defence Secretary will confirm that the UK Armed Forces will play a vital part in NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, with military planning already underway. A major Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) exercise, Lion Protector, will see air, land and naval forces deploy across the High North in 2026.

Arctic and High‑North security will be strengthened against rising Russian threats as Britain steps up its presence in the region.

During a visit to meet Royal Marine Commandos at Camp Viking in the Arctic Circle in northern Norway, the Defence Secretary will today (Wednesday 11 February) confirm that the number of British troops deployed to Norway will double over three years from 1,000 to 2,000 personnel.

It comes as the UK‑led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) confirms major military activity in the High North this year.

Taking place in September 2026, Exercise Lion Protector will see air, land and naval forces from JEF nations train to protect critical national infrastructure from attacks and sabotage and to enhance their joint command‑and‑control capabilities. Hundreds of personnel will deploy across Iceland, the Danish Straits and Norway, as JEF steps up to enhance deterrence and defence in the Arctic, the High North and the North Atlantic.

The Defence Secretary is also expected to confirm that UK Armed Forces will play their part in NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, with detailed military planning at NATO underway. Healey will join Defence Ministers at NATO HQ on Thursday in Brussels to discuss the proposals.

The government has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – hitting 2.6 % of GDP from 2027 – to ensure that Britain and its allies are safe.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

“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. We see Putin rapidly re‑establishing military presence in the region, including reopening old Cold War bases.

The UK is stepping up to protect the Arctic and High North – doubling the number of troops we have in Norway and scaling up joint exercises with NATO allies.

Cold Response and Lion Protector will this year see thousands of troops deploy across the Arctic and North Atlantic – with the UK leading the way. We train together, we deter together, and if necessary, we will fight together.”

1,500 Royal Marine Commandos are deploying to Norway for NATO’s Exercise Cold Response taking place in March. The major military exercise across Norway, Finland and Sweden will enhance allied ability to defend strategically important locations across fjords and mountains.

This follows the historic Lunna House Agreement with Norway, signed in December, which will see the UK and Norway jointly operate a fleet of submarine‑hunting Type 26 warships, expand joint Arctic training, and pre‑position British military equipment in Norway to be better prepared for future crises.

The Strategic Defence Review also said that the UK should work to “improve NATO’s deterrence posture in Northern Europe and the High North.”

Russia’s growing activity across the Arctic, the High North and the North Atlantic has changed the security picture for the region. The UK, with its 50‑plus‑year history of operating in the Arctic, and through deep partnerships with allies including Norway, Sweden and Finland, will be at the centre of NATO’s northern response from day one.