Nato exercise Cold Response 2026 to test alliance cohesion and Arctic security

The largest iteration of Nato’s Cold Response exercise in 2026 will bring together 32,000 troops from allied nations in Norway and Finland, with Norwegian Vice Admiral Rune Andersen—head of the country’s Joint Headquarters—leading the operation, Dagbladet reports.

Speaking to the newspaper in Narvik, Andersen described the drill as a “game changer” for Norway’s armed forces, emphasizing its role in strengthening collective defence capabilities in the High North. “This is about demonstrating our ability to operate together in extreme conditions,” he said, noting the exercise’s focus on Arctic warfare, joint logistics, and rapid reinforcement across long distances.

The vice admiral acknowledged growing security concerns in the region but stressed that the exercise was “not a response to any specific threat.” Instead, he framed it as part of Nato’s long-term adaptation to a “more unpredictable” geopolitical landscape. Andersen characterized Norway’s military relationship with the US as “close and robust,” highlighting deep operational integration with American forces.

Cold Response, held biennially since 2006, has expanded significantly in scale since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This year’s edition will include participation from all 32 Nato member states, with Finland—now a full alliance member—hosting portions of the exercise for the first time. Training scenarios will cover amphibious landings, air defence, and cyber resilience, alongside traditional winter warfare drills.

Andersen told Dagbladet he remained “confident in our defensive posture” but admitted the evolving security environment kept him “awake at night.” He declined to specify which risks concerned him most, citing operational security.