Royal Marines are deploying to northern Norway “in force” as the United Kingdom and Norway expand their military cooperation in the High North, according to the Royal Navy.
The move follows a new bilateral agreement, known as the Lunna House agreement, which formalises a long-term framework for UK Commando Force operations in Norway. Under the arrangement, British forces will move beyond their established pattern of annual winter deployments and operate more persistently in the Arctic environment.
Around 1,500 personnel are taking part in the latest deployment, operating from Camp Viking near Øverbygd, roughly 40 miles south of Tromsø. The force includes Royal Marines supported by all-terrain vehicles and helicopters from Commando Helicopter Force, with activities spread across Norway’s mountainous terrain and rugged coastline.
The deployment will culminate in participation in Exercise Cold Response 2026, one of the largest military exercises planned in Norway this year. The exercise is intended to demonstrate NATO’s ability to operate and deter threats in the High North, with UK forces training alongside Norwegian units and marines from the Netherlands.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Armstrong, Commanding Officer of 30 Commando Information Exploitation Group, said in a news update posted by the Royal Navy: “The UK Commando Force is stepping up readiness to war-fight alongside our allies in the High North.” He added: “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 Royal Marines’ Arctic role builds on decades of experience in extreme cold weather and mountain warfare, dating back to commando raids in Norway during the Second World War. Camp Viking, established in 2023, has become a permanent hub for these activities, enabling rapid access to training areas across northern Norway. Alongside ground forces, Yeovilton-based Commando Helicopter Force has deployed to Bardufoss Air Base under Operation Clockwork, an annual Arctic training commitment. Flying Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, the force provides lift, reconnaissance and support in conditions that test both aircrew and aircraft.
I hope they are keeping an eye out for Delta force Incase they try and kidnap the leader of the Venezuelan opposition from Norway.
Norway has oil too so they might try and grab that 😀
With American expertise in foreign geography, they might mistake it for Greenland.
Maybe we could fake a US invasion of Greenland. As long as Fox News says it happened the Donald won’t know the difference.
It will be interesting where this leaves the MRSS if the bulk of the RMs are going to be based in Norway in the long term by the looks of things.
Having 3 large ships seems to be looking more unlikely maybe more the strike frigate option for small raiding parties and land attack missiles?
We could just get a bunch of LST 100 and use the PoW as a 70,000 LPH.
They don’t want to use the carriers as LPH
The whole concept may go out the window at this rate, with how small the RM is and the focus on Norway are ships even needed
Well yes certainly large scale amphibious operations are no longer an option for the RN that’s why the strike frigate maybe the best option to go now least the navy will get a few more frigates that way by stealth!😉
A whole company maybe?
Ha I fear you might br right with this government it will probably be what ever the cheapest option is!😆
Just been watching a Seaking doing It’s stuff, managed to get some great GoPro footage really nice and close too.
Just saying 🙂👌
Where? We no longer have any Sea Kings?
I’m currently sat in the “Van” at (Former) HMS Osprey (again). Had to come back as I found a great place to park (Free) and lots of Interesting things to see without all the Tourists. I’ve been lucky to see Chinooks and Ospreys too and you can get up really close. Bloody cold outside but It’s rather toasty In here, just me and a Coffee, editing the latest Van Life GoPro footage.
Thanks mate. Can you see Tristram from where you are?
You can see her from many places, firstly from the hill coming down from Dorchester and then from many other closer places. The best view would be from the port Itself but there Is a brilliant view from the Prison Entrance at the very top of Portland. The Sea King was wheeled back In the Hanger a bit later (I lost roaming Internet late on monday so no reply). Currently sat In port is Tiderace, Stirling Castle, Triton (still nothying being done to her) and a few SD’s. This Sea King was unmarked so I couldn’t really see who It belonged to.
This is brilliant. I’ll research places, and send you out On your wvrooom to check them out for a CTR.😀
Lol. Do I get a Rank ? I’d like a Rank, maybe something like Wit, Comander Wit ?
Anyway, Off to Northamptonistan this friday, not sure If that helps, let me know If you have any Missions !!!!
Private Wit.
Corporal Wit.
Sergent Wit.
1st Class Wit.
Pathfinder Wit.
Ultimate Wit.
There are a few interesting places in that area but not that I can put on this forum.
Croughton is interesting though, don’t get run over like Zacolas.
It’s a private outfit, HeliOperations, who operate a few ex-FAA Sea Kings out of Portland. SAR training and suchlike. I think they gave a few Sea Kings to Ukraine too.
Thanks Matt.
Hello Matt, I have seen a few Ospreys there at times too and Chinooks plus the Rescue stuff and private ones. I only visit Infrequently so I guess It has quite a high volume of traffic ?
We go round in circles, and behind the noise and the spin and the gran proclamations of HMG and the MoD the Corps gets smaller, still has to decide what it is, and as it moved in the “Grey Zone” direction and is then pulled away by events.
We had the LRG (S) and LRG (N) plan, each with a RM Company committed forward, and with one of the Commando’s, Four Two, removed from “green” ops to Maritime Specialist, so 3 Infantry Commando down to 2.
We then had various other supporting RM organisations rebranded ( the usual ) so 1 ASG RM became 47 Cdo as the spin doctors double down on the “Commando” name, and bought fancy new uniforms, IW, comms, MRZRs, some Drones, but sod all else.
Both LRG were to be able to operate independently with the ability to combine into a LSG for a major operation and linking to the QEC CSG. A good capability.
Then HMG cut their supporting shipping, no need, we will only do light raiding now, via the Bays. “No loss in amphibious capability” bullshit from politicians.
It was all about the Grey zone and supporting ASOB in the wider world. The arctic capability, as mentioned by several serving and ex serving RM here, had atrophied down to, I believe, 45 Commando Group, the Arbroath based Commando, with bits and pieces of 30 Cdo, the M&AWC element, SRS, SBS, CHF, and the Army CS CSS formations also with Arctic training.
Now we hear from the 1SL that the Corps has turned full circle and is committed to the northern flank again, minus a Commando, minus the bulk of its shipping.
Deploying “in force” is the usual headline that masks to all but those who follow matters the bits removed from the Corps and the ongoing lack of expansion in firepower, CS, CSS, and helicopters.
Camp Viking at least is a welcome, logical development.
Will HMG admit that the LRG concept as was planned is now a dead duck now Argus and the LPDs are gone?
Ha that really does sum it up perfectly so many changes over the last 5 years to what the RM amphibious forces were going to do it’s now whittled down to light rading and mainly based in Norway no doubt the cheapest option for the treasury!
In fantasy politics, you could offer the monarchies in northern Europe membership of the United Kingdom with Canada jumping in also.
That’ll lead to a united kingdom that stretches from Denmark to Canada, taking in Greenland with.
One currency, one king {ours obvs} with the rest becoming principalities.
Wow… That’s quite a wank fest. Good luck with that
“Jerk”
I thought you lot used “Jerk” to describe that activity ?
You’re not the most convincing American truth be known 🤦♂️
Spaz!
Is “Spaz” another American word ? 🤔
It’s all getting rather confusing 😁