【Epoch Times, February 11, 2026】British Defense Minister John Healey visited the UK military base “Camp Viking” located within the Arctic Circle in Norway on Wednesday, February 11. He announced plans to double the number of troops stationed in Norway within the next three years to address the increasingly precarious security situation in the region.
According to a statement from the British government, Healey stated that the UK Armed Forces will play a key role in NATO’s new mission “Arctic Sentry.” He is expected to travel to NATO headquarters in Brussels on Thursday to discuss specific proposals for this mission with defense ministers from various countries.
In response to the current regional situation, Healey pointed out in the statement, “Defense needs are increasing, and the threat posed by Russia to the security of the Arctic and the High North region is the most serious since the Cold War. We see Putin rapidly rebuilding military deployments in the region, including restarting old Cold War bases.”
He emphasized, “The UK is enhancing protection in the Arctic and High North regions – we will double the number of troops stationed in Norway and expand joint exercises with NATO allies.”
This means that within the next three years, the number of British troops stationed in Norway will increase from the current 1,000 to 2,000.
In addition to the troop increase plan, the UK-led “Joint Expeditionary Force” (JEF) will also undertake major military operations this year. An exercise named “Lion Protector” will take place in September, mobilizing hundreds of personnel to carry out operations in Iceland, the Danish Straits, and Norway, focusing on protecting critical national infrastructure from attacks or intentional damage.
Furthermore, in March this year, 1,500 British Royal Marines Commandos will head to Norway, Finland, and Sweden to participate in NATO’s “Cold Response” exercise.
This deployment comes at a time of geopolitical change. NATO’s “Arctic Sentry” mission aims to strengthen security in regions including Greenland. Previously, US President Trump had expressed interest in purchasing Greenland and urged European allies to take on more defense responsibilities to ensure the security of Greenland and the European continent.
Earlier this month, Healey, in an interview with Reuters, stated that NATO countries “accept and recognize” Trump’s concerns about Greenland and Arctic security, and the “Arctic Sentry” mission is a key way to show the United States that allies are “stepping up action” in Greenland and surrounding areas to address this challenge.
To meet international pressure and security threats, the UK government has committed to implementing the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War. According to the plan, UK defense spending is expected to reach 2.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027.
Military cooperation between the UK and Norway is also deepening. The two countries signed the “Lunna House Agreement” last December, which will see them jointly operate a Type 26 frigate fleet for anti-submarine missions and pre-position UK military equipment in Norway to enhance readiness for future crises.
Healey commented on this, saying, “We train together, we deter together, and if necessary, we fight side by side.”
The UK government emphasizes that with over 50 years of operational experience in the Arctic region and a strong partnership with Norway, Sweden, and Finland, the UK will be at the core of NATO’s defense in the Northern region.