The UK Government has reaffirmed its defence commitment to the Arctic region, stressing continued deployments and training exercises while deferring decisions on permanent basing to the upcoming Strategic Defence Review, according to answers provided in Parliament on 30 April 2025.
Responding to a series of written questions from Labour MP Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar), Defence Minister Luke Pollard reiterated that the UK “is committed to maintaining a coherent Defence posture in the region and will defend and support our Allies should the need arise.”
While no confirmation was given regarding the permanent stationing of UK forces in the High North, the Minister noted that the Strategic Defence Review would “set the strategic direction for Defence for the next decade.”
The UK’s Arctic presence currently includes the deployment of the Littoral Strike Group, Carrier Strike assets, Joint Aviation elements, and routine maritime patrols. These deployments are complemented by regular cold-weather training in Norway and the UK’s leadership of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), which includes Arctic nations and aims to “build consensus on security issues, and counter Russian influence.”
In response to a separate question on the effectiveness of the UK’s involvement in Norway’s Exercise Joint Viking, Pollard stated: “Exercise Joint Viking was an effective demonstration of the Commando Force and all of its constituent personnel.”
He highlighted that the amphibious training “met its aims,” and allowed UK forces to utilise new equipment in Arctic conditions while rehearsing crisis response scenarios with Norwegian and NATO allies.
Downie also asked for clarification on which UK assets were currently deployed to support Arctic security. Pollard’s response mirrored his earlier statement, underlining the continued presence of strike groups, aviation units, and maritime patrols, framed within the UK’s broader deterrence and alliance-based approach to regional security.
How about securing Lincolnshire first? While the carrier group is swanking around the world for reasons known only to the MOD perhaps someone could look closer to home for five minutes. The Arctic is just a playground for the Marines to justify their existence. We really do have ideas above our limited stations.