IRIA News

More than 12,000 personnel, 50 aircraft, and 40 naval ships from NATO and partner countries participated in the Norway-led Joint Viking 23 Exercise on land, sea, and air, mainly in the Inner Troms Region of North Norway.

The field exercise lasted for about 10 days from Match 6-16, 2023, however, the military activity would continue for weeks after the drills.

Facing temperatures below – 20°C, the land, sea, and air forces of nine NATO nations, including Norway, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and the partner states Finland and Sweden took part in the exercises.

Troops from nine NATO allied and partner countries participated in long-planned major military exercises to train to defend Norway in exercises “Joint Viking” and “Joint Warrior”, the largest drills in Europe’s Arctic this year, according to the NATO statement.

“AIR ASSAULT: an operation in which assault forces, using the firepower, mobility and total integration of helicopter assets, manoeuvre on the battlefield under the control of the commander to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain.”#JointViking23, 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/ZxVbIyZl2c

— 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team (@16AirAssltBCT) March 16, 2023

The Norwegian Armed Forces said in a statement that “Joint Viking is closely connected to the British Naval exercise Joint Warrior and the Norwegian Home Guard exercise Jøssing, in southwestern Norway”.

This year, around 50 aircraft and 40 naval vessels took part in Joint Viking Exercise, while Norwegian civilian organizations also participated in the drills, as they have a “fundamental role should there be a crisis in Norway”.

Norwegian Armed Forces said in a statement that “NATO is the backbone in the defense of Norway. This makes it vital for us to train together with allied forces in Norway. The exercise increases our preparedness and our capability to conduct large-scale joint operations in challenging weather and climate.”

“We, and our allies, need to know our own terrain and conditions. This is fresh knowledge that needs to be trained on
regularly. Northern Norway also offers great exercise areas, which makes this region well-suited for a major exercise like Joint Viking,” the statement added.

The Exercise helped Norway and allied forces to increase preparedness and capability to conduct large-scale joint operations in challenging weather and climate.

The Joint Viking 2023 Exercise is one of the largest winter Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) deployments to Norway’s High North. The exercise is held every two years.

Øvelse #JointViking23 er over. Takk til alle våre soldater og allierte! /Exercise Joint Viking 23 is over. Thanks to all our soldiers and allies! #WeAreNATO #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/QcHSLFhd7X

— Norwegian Armed Forces | Forsvaret (@Forsvaret_no) March 17, 2023

According to the Noway’s Kongehuset, Norway’s King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon were briefed by the Chief of Defense General Eirik Kristoffersen, as they met several of the Norwegian and allied soldiers taking part in this year’s exercise, and heard more about how they operate on land, at sea, and in the air.

The UK Ministry of Defense said in a statement that during the Joint Viking 2023 Exercise, the troops endured “austere conditions as they collaborate, train and operate together with Norwegian Army and US Marine Corps (USMC) units, to enhance their collective capability and further develop interoperability with our JEF [Joint Expeditionary Force] Partners and Allies.”

“The main goal of Joint Viking is to test the British Army’s ability to operate in demanding winter conditions. It is also important for demonstrating our ability to defend Norway”, the UK Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The exercise comprised Joint land activity between JEF Partners and Allies. The C Company of the 2nd Battalion, and the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) have been deployed in Norway for four months preparing for the exercise.

🇳🇴🇬🇧🇺🇸 troops during the largest exercises in Europe’s Arctic this year

This month 20,000 #NATO troops, plus Finland and Sweden, are training to defend Norway⁰⁰ #JointViking23 | #JointWarrior pic.twitter.com/O6aM5xJYYf

— NATO (@NATO) March 15, 2023

The war in Ukraine has had an enormous impact not only on Ukraine but on the entire global security situation, particularly in Europe. The Norwegian Armed Forces stated that “NATO is the foundation of Norway’s defence. In order to be able to defend Norway, our allies must exercise on deploying to Norway. They must also know how to operate along with Norwegian forces in a harsh winter climate”.

The Norwegian Armed Forces stressed that the exercises are defensive in nature and they do not seek to create misunderstandings, tensions, and escalation of conflicts.

“Norway complies with international agreements, and through official channels, we have informed all relevant countries – including Russia – about the exercise”, the Norawy’s Army said in a statement.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu said in a statement that “these are long-planned defensive exercises. In a more contested and dangerous security environment, they send a clear message: NATO stands strong and ready to defend every inch of Allied territory.”

In March alone, more than 20,000 troops from NATO allies and partner states Finland and Sweden, trained together in one of the largest drills in Europe’s Arctic region.

In the Mediterranean, Ships, submarines, and aircraft from nine NATO Allies conducted anti-submarine warfare drills during exercise Dynamic Manta. In addition, France is holding its largest military drill in decades as part of “Orion 23”, involving 19,000 Allied troops over three months. Around 600 German troops are practicing defending Lithuania during “Griffin Lightning”. Flying out of Spain, U.S. B-52 bombers hold joint drills with Allied air forces across Europe.