The Royal Navy declared that its Royal Marines recently conducted live-fire mortar training in northern Norway. These exercises serve as a prelude to a significant NATO maneuver and highlight an augmented British involvement in Arctic safeguarding.
These mortar drills were conducted in the vicinity of Moen, a hamlet situated over 200 miles within the Arctic Circle’s bounds. Concurrently, approximately 1,500 British Commandos are maintaining rigorous operational drills amidst freezing temperatures. This endeavor contributes to NATO’s broader initiatives to fortify its northern perimeter and safeguard Scandinavian allied nations.
The Royal Navy indicated that the marines honed their ability to discharge 81mm mortars, deploying from Viking and BV206 multi-terrain vehicles. This practice integrated maneuverability with offensive support training across rugged landscapes. The branch affirmed these armaments can unleash approximately 15 projectiles each minute, possessing an effective range approaching 3.5 miles.
These exercises precede Cold Response 26, designated as NATO’s most extensive Arctic operation for the current year, slated for execution between March 9th and 19th. It is projected that this maneuver will encompass approximately 25,000 military personnel representing 14 countries, deploying throughout the northern regions of Norway and Finland.
The naval service noted that the drills also coincide with intentions to augment the United Kingdom’s footprint in the area. This is coupled with projected UK engagement in NATO’s Arctic Sentry assignment and subsequent Joint Expeditionary Force operations scheduled for later in the year.
John Healey, the Secretary of Defense, stated: “Requirements for defense are escalating, and Russia presents the most significant peril to the safeguarding of the Arctic and High North witnessed since the era of the Cold War.”
He further remarked: “The United Kingdom is augmenting its efforts to defend the Arctic region and the High North, by increasing twofold the forces deployed in Norway and enlarging combined drills with NATO partners.”
Healey declared: “In the current year, Cold Response and Lion Protector are set to involve many thousands of service members positioned across the Arctic and North Atlantic, with Britain taking the vanguard. We prepare in unison, we dissuade jointly, and if required, we will battle collectively.”
The Royal Navy reported that the mortar teams discharged munitions continuously for seven days amidst temperatures approaching -20°C. They employed specialized vehicles for swift redeployment across substantial snowdrifts to prevent becoming stationary. The branch highlighted that contemporary combat radars are capable of identifying mortar launch sites, thereby elevating the significance of maneuverability to diminish susceptibility to retaliatory fire.