The United Kingdom has announced the opening of a military base in northern Norway to strengthen NATO's capabilities in the Arctic amid Russian aggression.
According to a statement from the Royal Navy, the base is "strategically important for deterrence and will allow Britain to respond quickly to threats on NATO's northern borders."
Commando Arctic operating base...
– Royal Marines (@RoyalMarines) March 8, 2023
For the next ten years #RoyalMarines will operate from Camp Viking in Northern Norway. The Arctic base is positioned strategically as a deterrence and so the UK can respond rapidly to protect NATO’s northern flank.https://t.co/eLcSvS8SkE pic.twitter.com/Y4GasnSYCx
Permanent military bases of other countries are prohibited by Norwegian law, so Camp Viking is only open for 10 years.
The base will house the Royal Marines, which will be "the tip of the Arctic spear, the troops that Britain will use to fight in the extremely cold climate."
The base is located about 65 kilometers south of Tromso. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense said that troops from other NATO allies of Norway and then the Dutch Marines were previously stationed in the complex where Camp Viking is now located.
Norway shares a 198-kilometer border with Russia.
Background. As reported, the EU and Norwegian defense ministers will discuss a plan to jointly purchase shells for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.