Cold Weather Operations Conference 2025
More than 500 participants from 22 nations gathered for the Cold Weather Operations Conference (CWOC) 2025, held from 11–13 November in Hamar Norway.
The Cold Weather Operations Conference (CWOC) 2025 brought together NATO allies, industry experts, researchers, and military practitioners to explore the theme “Interoperability in the Arctic”.
In light of the growing strategic importance of the Arctic and High North, this year’s conference framed challenges and opportunities of multidomain operations in one of the world’s most demanding environments. When the freezing temperatures bite, darkness falls, and the terrain transforms into layers of ice and snow, the way military forces operate and cooperate also changes.
Across three dedicated tracks, participants examined interoperability at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Discussions ranged from Multi Domain Operations, shared understanding of the environment and capability requirements, to tactical integration of land, air, naval, and sustainment forces, and finally to technical and human interoperability through workshops on unmanned aerial systems, human performance in Arctic conditions, and emerging technologies.
Together, these sessions provided a shared foundation for advancing NATO’s ability to operate effectively in the Arctic and strengthening cooperation across domains and nations. Hosting the conference, COE-CWO facilitated sharing of recognized expertise and experience among NATO and partner nations. The large European footprint at the conference highlighted Europe’s cohesion and commitment to build network, collaborate, and develop interoperability amongst nations demanding European security situation.
In addition to the academic program, the conference also contained an equipment and material exposition (EXPO). 30 different manufacturers and suppliers showcased different technical solutions to support cold weather operations.
The insights gained at the conference will shape doctrine, guide future investment, and inspire joint exercises, ensuring that NATO and its partners remain ready, interoperable, and technologically advanced in some of the world’s most demanding environments.
The theme for the next CWOC, CWOC 2027, will be decided early in 2026.
