German and Norwegian soldiers practice fighting against an attacker in ice and snow. The major NATO exercise is also intended to be the start of the Bundeswehr’s increased presence in the far north.
Germany is expanding military cooperation with Norway and the new NATO partners Finland and Sweden against the backdrop of Russian threats.
“We simply want to be even more present here in the High North,” said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius south of the city of Alta, where the “Nordic Response 2024” exercise with a simulated counterattack had been running since midnight. The SPD politician called for increased participation in exercises as well as joint procurement such as submarines and work on the frigate 127. He said of the maneuver: “It is the largest and most important exercise in NATO for at least 40 years.”
His Norwegian counterpart Bjørn Arild Gram emphasized the importance of common deterrence. “We meet in a very serious security situation here in Alta in the far north. In these times it is important to have friends, allies and partners.” The aim of the exercise is to develop the ability to fight together and work together. This cooperation extends to arms cooperation.
Mountain troops practice combat north of the Arctic Circle
With the large-scale exercise, NATO partners in northern Europe have been training since midnight to defend against an attack on alliance territory. 1,500 men and women from the German armed forces are taking part in the “Nordic Response 2024” exercise, including 700 mountain troops. From the Alta area, the soldiers were supposed to counterattack areas to the south that were already occupied by an enemy in this scenario. The minister and his delegation were shown weapons systems and a winter camp for reserve forces that would take part in firefighting later in the maneuver. The Germans and Norwegians fought with laser-controlled hit control against troops from other NATO countries who represented the enemy.
According to Norwegian military information, around 20,000 soldiers from 13 allied nations are taking part in the maneuver. These include Finland and Sweden, which decided to join the alliance after the Russian attack on Ukraine. The NATO states deploy a wide range of weapon systems, including 100 aircraft as well as naval forces with frigates and submarines.
The day before, Pistorius had visited a Norwegian military station on the border with Russia and offered increased involvement of the Bundeswehr in the far north, even if the world is currently focusing primarily on Ukraine and the Middle East.
“Things come together in the Arctic”
“It’s actually clear that here in the Arctic, in the Norwegian Sea, the threads – if you will – come together,” said Pistorius at the Norwegian border station in Pasvik. A significant part of Russia’s military power is concentrated in the north. Pistorius said that traffic goes through here, “the submarines cross here. A lot of things come together here that we in Central Europe don’t notice much of.”
Norway borders Russia for 198 kilometers in the far north. From Pasvik, the next large city on the Russian side is Murmansk, which, with its surrounding area on the Barents Sea, is home to the Northern Fleet, which is strategically important for Russia. This includes nuclear submarines of the Russian armed forces. The entire region lies north of the Arctic Circle.
NATO responds with a series of exercises
Germany sent soldiers from the 233 Mountain Infantry Battalion from Mittenwald, Bavaria, to the Arctic Circle for the “Nordic Response 2024” exercise. As part of the Rapid Forces Division, they quickly make an impact with capabilities for national and alliance defense. With this exercise, the Bundeswehr wants to gain further practical experience under Arctic climatic conditions.
NATO is reacting to the new security policy situation with a whole series of exercises called “Steadfast Defender”. Around 90,000 soldiers are being mobilized in the alliance. Germany is taking part in the large-scale maneuver with several of its own exercises under the name “Quadriga”. Quadriga – this is also the name of the Roman chariot drawn by a team of four – extends over a period of five months.
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