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The current security policy environment is characterised by increased tension and unpredictability. As a member of NATO, Norway has a responsibility to contribute to stability and collective security in its neighbouring regions. Exercise Cold Response 2026 is an important element in this effort and is therefore one of the Norwegian Armed Forces’ most significant exercises this year.
The overall purpose of the exercise is to contribute to deterrence, strengthen Norwegian and allied defence capabilities, and reassure the population. This is achieved by demonstrating Norway’s and NATO’s ability to defend the Alliance’s northern flank.
Cold Response 2026 is led by a Norwegian–US headquarters established at Reitan, near Bodø. Approximately 25,000 soldiers from 14 nations are participating, including Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Türkiye, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, and NATO. The exercise is important for enhancing interoperability among allied forces and for supporting the integration of Finland and Sweden into NATO.
How the exercise is conducted
Cold Response 2026 is conducted as a multi-domain operation, with military effects coordinated across the land, maritime, air, cyber and space domains. In addition, there are important contributions from the total defence, making the exercise a key component of Total Defence Year 2026.
In parallel with the live exercise, a large-scale simulation is conducted involving significantly larger simulated forces than those participating physically. This increases the realism, complexity and demands placed on the participating headquarters. In this way, the exercise enables the testing and validation of plans, as well as decision-making processes at the strategic and operational levels.
Quick Facts
- What: Norwegian-led military winter exercise held every two years.
- Where: The main land and air activity takes place in northern Norway and northern Finland. At sea, the exercise will take place in the maritime areas off the coast of Norway.
- When: The field exercise part takes place 9–19 March 2026. There will be some allied activities in the weeks before the exercise, and activity in the weeks after, when the forces will re-deploy to their respective bases and countries.
- Who: An estimated 25,000 participants on land, at sea and in the air. The participants come from 14 NATO countries.
- Why: To show the strength and unity of NATO, test Norwegian defence and total defense, and to practice defending Norway.
Why we exercise
Norway’s challenging climate and varied geography, with short distances between fjords and mountains, make the country an attractive arena for military training. Exercises in Norwegian conditions provide allied forces with valuable experience in Arctic environments, which is essential for operational capability in the High North. Cold Response 26 is conducted primarily in Nordland, Troms and western Finnmark. This constitutes the land component of the exercise, with additional land operations taking place in northern Finland. In addition, air operations will be conducted over all the Nordic countries, and maritime operations in the North Atlantic.
The exercise in Norway will largely take place on civilian, privately owned land and often in close proximity to local communities. This is an established practice in Norway. The Norwegian Armed Forces place great emphasis on ensuring that training activities are conducted with due consideration for the public, and that any damage or inconvenience is handled and compensated in accordance with applicable regulations.
