Royal Marines fire mortars in Arctic Norway training

Royal Marines have carried out live mortar firing drills in northern Norway as part of preparations for a major NATO exercise and an expanded UK role in Arctic security, the Royal Navy stated.

The mortar training took place near the village of Moen, more than 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle, as around 1,500 UK Commandos continue intensive mission rehearsals in sub-zero conditions. The activity forms part of NATO’s wider efforts to strengthen its northern flank and protect Nordic member states.

According to the Royal Navy, the marines practised firing 81mm mortars from Viking and BV206 all-terrain vehicles, combining mobility with fire support training in harsh terrain. The service said the weapons are capable of delivering around 15 rounds per minute, with ranges of up to 3.5 miles.

The drills are part of preparations for Cold Response 26, NATO’s largest Arctic exercise this year, due to take place from 9 to 19 March. The exercise is expected to involve around 25,000 troops from 14 nations operating across northern Norway and Finland.

The Royal Navy said the training also comes amid plans to increase Britain’s presence in the region, alongside expected UK participation in NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission and further Joint Expeditionary Force activity later this year.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and High North security that we have seen since the Cold War.”

He added: “The UK is stepping up to protect the Arctic and High North, doubling the number of troops we have in Norway and scaling up joint exercises with NATO allies.”

Healey said: “Cold Response and Lion Protector will this year see thousands of troops deploy across the Arctic and North Atlantic, with the UK leading the way. We train together, we deter together, and if necessary, we will fight together.”

The Royal Navy said the mortar troops fired day and night for a week in temperatures close to -20°C, using vehicles to rapidly reposition through deep snow in order to avoid remaining static. The service noted that modern battlefield radars can detect mortar firing positions, increasing the importance of mobility to reduce vulnerability to counter-fire.