Royal Marines deploy to the Arctic in force as UK and Norway begin new era of cooperation

A recent agreement between the two nations is paving the way for the UK’s Commando Force – led by the Royal Marines – to operate in Norway year-round, broadening their current commitment of annual winter deployments.

The UK and Norway are developing their joint military clout, including investment in weapons and programmes for uncrewed mine-hunting and undersea warfare systems, as well as autonomous vehicles for patrolling the depths and an interchangeable fleet of Type 26 frigates.

The new Lunna House agreement also further commits the UK to defending their close NATO ally and the requirement to be ready for potential combat in the one of the world’s most inhospitable environments - the Norwegian Arctic.

That places the Royal Marines in an important position as the UK’s extreme cold weather and mountain warfare experts who will continue to spearhead British operations in the region, having honed their skills for more than 50 years. They first operated there during daring commando raids on Nazi-occupied territory during World War 2.

The UK Commando Force established an operations hub, known as Camp Viking – located in the village of Øverbygd, about 40 miles south of Tromsø – in 2023 and are returning this year with the deployment of 1,500 personnel, plus their all-terrain vehicles and helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force.

The commandos will operate across the coastlines and mountains of Northern Norway and take part in Exercise Cold Response – the largest military exercises in the country in 2026, which will demonstrate the unity of NATO and the ability of the alliance to deter threats in the high north.

Crucially it will see UK forces operate closely with their Norwegian hosts, but also marines from the Netherlands, as they train to defend this strategically important region across fjords and mountains.

Lieutenant Colonel Chris Armstrong, Commanding Officer 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, said: “The UK Commando Force is stepping up readiness to war-fight alongside our allies in the High North. 

“As NATO’s cold-weather specialists, we are ruthlessly focussed on mission rehearsals with our closest partners. 

“Fusing intelligence, bold commando tactics, and cutting-edge technology – we remain poised for operations.”

The UK Commando Force has been undergoing a radical modernisation over the past six years, developing AI enabled targeting, multi-domain fires and uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) while strengthening partnerships to maintain their status as specialists in operations in the region. 

That evolution continues apace as the Lunna House plans are rolled out to give NATO qualitative advantage in the region.

Meanwhile, Yeovilton-based Commando Helicopter Force deploy to Royal Norwegian Air Force base, Bardufoss, for Operation Clockwork.  

The wings of the Royal Marines – who fly the Commando Wildcats and Merlins – are adept operators in the Arctic, and Clockwork serves as their yearly top-up of the deep freeze.

Their base is 20 miles west of Camp Viking – a drive of at least an hour on the winding Arctic roads, but barely ten minutes by helicopter.