The UK’s new defence strategy in the Arctic region has been
announced in Norway today by Defence Secretary .
The UK’s Defence
Contribution in the High North outlines plans to protect
critical underwater national infrastructure and ensure freedom of
navigation through international seas and Exclusive Economic
Zones in the Arctic region.
The strategy sets out the UK’s commitments to NATO, such as
increasing UK training and operations in the area with Allies and
international partners. The UK will also invest in research and
development to build a sustainable and modernised Defence
capability for the region.
As part of the new strategy, the UK will maintain a periodic
Royal Navy presence in the High North. The strategy also
reinforces support to Arctic Allies to preserve the stability and
security of the Arctic region.
Defence Secretary MP said:
The High North and the impact of climate change affects us all
whether we like it or not. The North Atlantic will always be the
UK’s ‘home beat’ and so it is vital that we strengthen both our
interoperability and our force integration with NATO and non-NATO
partners in the region.
The Defence Secretary met his Norwegian counterpart Odd Roger
Enoksen, as well as those taking part in Exercise COLD RESPONSE
22 during his time in Norway.
Exercise COLD RESPONSE 22 is a Norwegian-led exercise with 35,000
troops from 28 participants nations. The main UK contribution saw
six Royal Navy ships and 2,000 UK personnel carrying out
cold-weather training in northern Norway. While the exercises are
routine, they demonstrate the UK’s commitment to Allied forces
which need to be ready to operate in any environment under any
conditions.
Training in Norway allows NATO Allies and partners to practise
their skills operating in extreme and rugged surroundings. Around
900 Royal Marines have been deployed to the Arctic since January
in preparation for the exercises, sharpening their expertise in
operating in the freezing conditions.
The Defence Secretary met with the crew onboard one of the UK’s
two aircraft carriers, HMS Prince of Wales, which has been
leading the Royal Navy’s contribution to Exercise COLD RESPONSE
22. While onboard he received a series of briefings on its role
as a NATO command platform. The ship remains flexible and ready
to respond in order to command and control Allied ships at sea.
The Defence Secretary will also visit Kirkenes to see the
enduring Norwegian presence at the border to Russia.
