The Office of the Prime Minister of Norway

03/13/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/13/2026 09:59

Prime Ministers see first-hand how Allies are training to defend Norway

Today, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited NATO forces taking part in the Cold Response military exercise.

'We are contending with the most serious security situation since the Second World War. It is more important than ever to cooperate closely with our Allies to ensure our collective security. I am pleased to be in Bardufoss with the German Chancellor and the Canadian Prime Minister to see first-hand how soldiers from NATO countries are training to defend Norway and the Nordic region,' said Prime Minister Støre.

Mr Støre emphasised that Arctic security is essential for the security of all Allies.

25 000 soldiers

On Friday 13 March, the leaders of Norway, Germany and Canada visited the Cold Response exercise and met with forces from the three countries. The defence ministers of all three countries also took part in the visit.

Nearly 30 000 soldiers from 14 countries are participating in the Norwegian-led military exercise. Some 25 000 soldiers are in Norway - on land, at sea and in the air - while the rest are in northern Finland.

The exercise is based on NATO's plan for defending Norway and the Alliance's northern flank. In line with Norway's total defence system, the military forces are training with support from the civilian sector to receive reinforcements from other Allied countries.

'Exercises such as Cold Response are important for Norwegian security and NATO's collective security. It is vital for our emergency preparedness and defence capability that we have the opportunity to test our equipment together and train jointly in challenging winter conditions on land, at sea and in the air,' said Prime Minister Støre.

Cooperation is the key

The Cold Response exercise serves to strengthen both Nordic cooperation and the transatlantic community. It improves military coordination between Allied countries and helps NATO's newest member countries - Finland and Sweden - to integrate more fully into the Alliance.

'During the exercise we will put national and Allied defence capabilities to the test, and NATO will train to defend Norway. Cold Response is an opportunity to enhance Norway's defence capability and ensure that we are as well prepared as possible,' said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.

Mr Sandvik took part in the visit to Troms county together with German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty.

Facts about Cold Response

  • What: Norwegian-led military winter exercise held every two years.
  • Where: Land and air training takes place in North Norway (Troms and northern Nordland counties) and in northern Finland. Exercises at sea take place off the coast of Norway.
  • When: 9-19 March 2026. Allied training activities begin in the weeks before the exercise, as forces prepare, and continue afterwards as they re-deploy to their respective bases and countries.
  • Who: Nearly 30 000 soldiers from 14 countries are taking part in Cold Response. Of these, 25 000 are in Norway - on land, at sea and in the air - while the rest are in northern Finland.
  • Why: To show the strength and unity of NATO, test Norwegian defence within the total defence framework and with NATO participation, and validate Norwegian and Allied planning.
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