A Royal Air Force A400M Atlas has conducted the first-ever landing on the volcanic island of Jan Mayen, Norway, delivering a U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle during a multinational deployment in the High North, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The operation involved Norwegian Armed Forces, UK Royal Marines, and U.S. Marines, and was supported from pre-positioned equipment stockpiles in Norway. Jan Mayen, located in the Norwegian Sea, is home to a small outpost supporting the Norwegian Cyber Defence and Meteorological Institute.
Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, said in the NATO release that such operations demonstrate the ability and commitment of Allies to defend Arctic islands and surrounding waters if required. “The waters around Jan Mayen are vital to NATO in terms of securing international sea lines of communication and transatlantic supply routes.”
He added: “Our strength lies in our ability to integrate capabilities across domains and among NATO Allies. Regular Allied training and operations in Norway ensure readiness across all seasons and in times of crisis or conflict. This contributes to collective security and credible deterrence against future aggression. NATO remains a defensive alliance, but one always ready to respond if challenged.”
NATO highlighted that the High North is strategically critical as a gateway between North America and Europe and an arena for safeguarding freedom of navigation and transatlantic logistics. The landing on Jan Mayen, with its austere terrain and harsh weather, also underscored the logistical challenges of Arctic operations, where resupply must be meticulously planned.
The alliance noted it has a history on Jan Mayen, where NATO built a communications outpost at Olonkinbyen in 1958. More details are available from NATO here.
I think we should double down on the A400M fleet, sell our C17’s and also use it to replace the Voyagers after 2035. A fleet of 50 A400M doing everything would be much more efficient and effective.
Agree!
I was thinking before that we need a smaller cargo aircraft to prevent over using the A400 on smaller operations.
But more A400m would also be nice.