UK doubles troops in Norway to counter Russian ‘threat to Arctic’

Russia's activity has returned to Cold War levels

The number of British troops stationed in the country, of which 35% of its mainland is in the Arctic, would rise from 1,000 to 2,000, according to Defence Secretary John Healey.

It comes at a time of increasing concern among NATO allies about Russian activities in the Arctic, such as the reopening of old Cold War bases and a growing military presence.

Defence Secretary Healey said that “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”.

The proposals are expected to be discussed on Thursday, as the defence secretary will meet NATO counterparts at the headquarters in Brussels.

The expanded presence will include 1,500 Royal Marine Commandos who will take part in NATO's Exercise Cold Response in March.

The UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force in September will conduct an exercise known as Lion Protector involving air, land and naval forces from several European nations.

Amid heightened tensions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Britain and its NATO allies have raised concerns over the risk that Russia poses to underwater cables and pipelines.

The UK and Norway last year signed a defence pact with the aim of protecting undersea cables, in which the navies of the two countries will operate a combined fleet to track Russian submarines.

According to the Ministry of Defence, over the past two years there has been a 30% rise in Russian submarines in UK waters.

The ministry has said that the activity of Russian submarines in the North Atlantic has returned to the same levels as during the Cold War period.