On Wednesday, Britain announced it will increase its troop presence in Norway, taking on a “vital” role in a NATO Arctic mission amid “rising Russian threats.”
The UK’s decision to double its troops in Norway from 1,000 to 2,000 over the next three years comes as the U.S. prepares to relinquish two top regional NATO command posts to press allies to take greater responsibility for their defense.
The UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement:
Arctic and High North security will be strengthened against rising Russian threats as Britain steps up its presence in the region.
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.
