International Observers Follow Cold Response 2026
Cold Response is a defensive exercise. As part of demonstrating transparency, Norway has invited several international representatives to observe the exercise.
Around 25,000 Norwegian and allied soldiers are now training in Norway, of whom 11,800 are on Norwegian soil. Large military exercises such as Cold Response can create uncertainty and concern among neighbouring states. For that reason, Norway invited seven observers from countries outside the NATO alliance to follow the exercise. The aim is to demonstrate openness in today’s tense security policy situation.
“As the host nation, Norway has several obligations to reduce misunderstandings internationally, particularly with neighbouring countries. Among other things, Norway has a duty to inform about where, when and how the exercise takes place, and how many personnel are involved,” says Ragnhild Hustad, Head of the Arms Control Office in the Norwegian Armed Forces Staff.
The seven observers come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Moldova and Georgia.
Russia has been informed
After the Cold War, the nations of Europe, the United States and Canada agreed on several arrangements to limit military equipment and ensure transparency regarding military activity.
“As Exercise Cold Response is one of the largest exercises in Europe in 2026, Norway has informed Russia about the exercise in several ways,” Hustad explains.
In addition to sending a detailed written overview as early as November 2025, Norwegian diplomats have informed Russia directly in Moscow and in Vienna (the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE). Russia should therefore be well aware of the exercise.
Meet soldiers at random
Inviting observers to the exercise is a voluntary measure under one of the agreements, the Vienna Document. The aim is to demonstrate that the exercise is being conducted as announced and that it is a non-threatening exercise towards other countries.
During their time in Troms, the observers will receive briefings on the content of the exercise, the command structure and its objectives. Over the two days the observers spend in the exercise area, meetings are planned with Norwegian, German, Spanish and American units in the field. It is also common for observers to speak with soldiers they encounter randomly along the way, for example along the roads.
“These spontaneous and unplanned encounters give observers a good and realistic understanding of the exercise and also illustrate well how exercises in Norway are conducted,” Hustad says.
Surprised by Norway
She says observers are often surprised by how the Armed Forces use real civilian terrain in their exercises. They are also surprised by Norway’s concept of total defence, where the military trains together with the police, health services, municipalities and transport and energy companies.
“The observers are very satisfied with the observation. On Thursday they were briefed on the exercise by the Norwegian Joint Headquarters. They also received an orientation on how the Armed Forces ensure the safety of the forces during the exercise, environmental protection, and how military exercise controllers direct units to achieve their training objectives,” Hustad explains.
On Friday the observers met with the Norwegian and German brigades and the U.S. Marine Corps before returning home.
