SWEDISH ARMED FORCES To realize the full potential and growing geopolitical role of the Arctic, one must understand the complex challenges of the area. In late 2020, the Swedish government issued a strategy for the Arctic, including how to manage geopolitical challenges. The strategy identified three geostrategic changes and trends: the security policy consequences of new access to the Arctic’s natural resources, and sea lines of communications; the new military dynamic in the Arctic region, particularly increased Russian activity and military build-up in Russian territory; and the growing number of non-Arctic states expressing interest in the Arctic, notably the People’s…
The Watch
NETHERLANDS ARMED FORCES The polar regions are important for the Netherlands and for the health of the planet. Their vulnerable ecosystems have been severely affected by climate change, which is leading to major ice loss and is threatening the biodiversity of the polar regions. These developments have both direct and indirect consequences for the Netherlands, such as sea-level rise due to the melting polar ice caps, more extreme global weather, changes in biodiversity, new economic opportunities and changing geopolitical relations. For some time now, Dutch polar policy has rested on three key concepts: sustainability, international cooperation and scientific research. Even…
BRITISH ARMED FORCES The Arctic is increasingly important to the United Kingdom. We might not be an Arctic nation, but we are its nearest neighbor. Our northern-most isles are closer to the Arctic than to London. The U.K. already has long-standing commercial, security, environmental and scientific commitments in the region. But, as the polar ice caps melt and new sea lanes emerge, the threats to the region are growing even as opportunities increase. That is why the U.K. published its first Arctic strategy: “U.K. Defence Contribution in the High North.” Its four key objectives offer a clear articulation of strategic…
BUNDESWEHR The changing status quo in the Arctic due to climate change alters the relationship all states maintain to this vast region. As the ice caps recede, the availability of raw material deposits and the increasing navigability of Arctic sea routes become potential sources of non-cooperative behaviour that results from overlapping interests, unresolved territorial disputes and resource conflicts. This is occurring in conjunction with varying threat perceptions among the Arctic states as well as observing nations. Germany’s security and defense policy aims to preserve the Arctic as a largely conflict-free region, promote cooperation and safeguard its peaceful usage. Early detection…
HADRIENNE TERRES/FRENCH MINISTRY FOR THE ARMED FORCES France’s commitment to the Arctic arises from an old involvement. The first polar expeditions from Jacques Cartier in the 16th century in the north of Canada led to a long-standing tradition of polar research. Fueled by the work of France’s scientific bases, in both the Arctic and the Antarctic, this scientific involvement resulted in France’s observer status in the Arctic Council in 2000. On top of this scientific interest, the French private sector plays an active role in the Arctic with French companies operating in the region, mainly in the energy and tourism…
NORWEGIAN ARMED FORCES Nearly half of Norway’s land mass is Arctic territory, home to just one-tenth of the country’s population. Norway has a 198-kilometer-long land border with Russia and a substantial maritime border with adjacent international waters and airspace, which naturally results in day-to-day contact with the Russian Federation. For Norway, therefore, foreign and domestic policy converge in the Arctic. Norway’s policy revolves around security, stability, predictability and interest-based international cooperation. In short, “High North – Low Tension.” Peace in the Arctic is one of Norway’s most important foreign policy goals. Russia’s military modernization and increased activity in the north…
MAJ. GEN. JANNE JAAKKOLA/FINNISH DEFENCE COMMAND The security environment in Europe is changing rapidly. We do not know what the outcome and consequences of the current crisis will be. Finland is in a strategically important region. From the military-strategic perspective, increased tensions in another region may rapidly lead to increasing military activities in Northern Europe. The significance of the Baltic Sea, North Atlantic sea lines of communication and the Arctic region to Finland is growing, and military activity in these areas has increased during the past few years. Finland has recently updated its Arctic strategy and also issued a new…
THE WATCH STAFF United States Sailors and Marines joined allies in Iceland for exercise Northern Viking from April 2-14, 2022. Northern Viking, which was led by the U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet as a maritime-focused event for the first time in decades, included France, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and the United Kingdom. The multidomain exercise included amphibious landings, expeditionary and construction capability, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance. “Northern Viking 22 has been incredibly successful for us and for the participating allies,” Icelandic Coast Guard Cmdr. Marvin Ingolfsson, deputy commander of Keflavík Air Base, said in a U.S. Navy news release. “We…
DANISH JOINT ARCTIC COMMAND The Danish government recently published a new foreign and security policy strategy in which the Arctic and North Atlantic region plays an increasingly important role. The Kingdom of Denmark´s Arctic policy is low tension for the benefit of the Arctic states and its population. This policy is being pursued through strengthened cooperation among Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands regarding foreign, security and defense policy and in close cooperation and collaboration with allies and partners in the Arctic, especially the U.S. Over the past five years, the Danish Joint Arctic Command (JACO) has increased its capabilities…
MAJ. SUSAN MAGILL/JOINT TASK FORCE NORTH The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has operated in the Canadian north for more than a century. This vast region encompasses 75% of Canada’s coastlines, almost 8 million square kilometers of land and sea, including 36,563 islands. Over 70 communities exist in our north, but this accounts for only 0.3% of Canada’s population. The effects of climate change, globalization and advanced technologies have increased access and international interest in Canada’s Arctic. While growing activity could create economic benefits for Canada, it could also increase strategic competition, environmental risks, search and rescue requirements, and illegal or…