The military exercise Cold Response has recently ended, marking a significant demonstration of NATO's Arctic capabilities. This year's edition of Cold Response is part of NATO's increased presence in the Arctic area called Arctic sentry. The exercise involved 25,000 personnel from 14 countries in northern Sweden, Finland, and Norway, taking place primarily in northern Norway and Finland, regions that border Russia and are strategically vital to NATO's northern defence. Participants included troops from the United States, Norway, Finland, and Denmark, among others, with the United States expected to contribute around 4,000 personnel to the operation. Multiple reports indicate over 30,000 NATO soldiers participated in the Cold Response exercise, most from Norwegian territory, reflecting differing counting methods for the exercise's scale.
Sweden's expanded military role in Arctic defense was prominently featured during the exercises. The Swedish Armed Forces have been tasked with forming two brigades to defend Nordkalotten, with I19 in Boden forming one and preparing to lead a NATO base in Finland. Skaraborgsbrigaden will be ready first, by the turn of the year. For the first time, Sweden is sending a larger brigade with division leadership to Finland, participating in Cold Response with the largest brigade so far. Most Swedish army units depend on mobilized personnel, with few units deployable at short notice, though Sweden's Fallskärmsjägarna (paratroopers) are an elite unit with what group commander Oscar described as 'longest endurance of all units in the Swedish armed forces'.
Norwegian military research yielded surprising results from a groundbreaking 100-day Arctic survival exercise. The Norwegian Armed Forces conducted a 100-day exercise with 13 soldiers in the field without support to gain new documented knowledge. Researchers were uncertain if the 100-day exercise would be possible and had plans to stop it if needed, according to Jørgen Melau. The soldiers in the 100-day exercise had various tasks including surveillance and physically demanding evacuations. Results from the 100-day exercise showed soldiers performed just as well after as before, contrary to researchers' expectations, according to Melau. Not all data from the 100-day exercise is analyzed yet, but there are already lessons such as practical equipment improvements and insufficient fluid intake from melting snow, according to Melau.
Cold injuries surged within the Swedish Armed Forces during winter training exercises. In the first two months of this year, 134 deviations regarding cold injuries have been reported in the Swedish Armed Forces, compared to 47 in all of 2025. Most of those affected by cold injuries in the Swedish Armed Forces are conscripts and students. Injuries range from a white spot on the cheek to deeper frostbite injuries. During an exercise in Norrbotten in February, 13 conscripts at Skaraborgs regemente, P 4, suffered various types of cold injuries after the heater in their tent stopped working. A review of the cold injuries has been initiated and should be ready in May, according to Joakim Giöbel.
I have not heard of anyone ever doing a similar experiment.
Norwegian military expansion and digital training innovations are transforming Arctic defense capabilities. The Norwegian army is tripling in size, at least on paper, with Porsanger battalion established just five years ago now part of the new Finnmark Brigade. According to battalion commander Kim Kaspersen, Finnmark is larger than Denmark. A digital copy of the Finnmark Brigade is being used to simulate operations with virtual soldiers controlled from Rena. The Finnmark Brigade will be fully operational by 2036 but is being trained digitally now, though the exact timeline and completion details beyond this target remain uncertain.
Arctic warfare training featured elite units employing specialized techniques and technology. Norway's elite soldiers for Arctic warfare use quinzhees, or snow caves, to stay hidden from drones' sophisticated sensors. An officer of the Norwegian Long Range Reconnaissance Squadron, nicknamed Poster Boy, is part of the country's elite Arctic task force designed to operate far behind enemy lines for surveillance missions. The quinzhee is 1.5m high and 2m wide, built by piling snow together and allowing it to sinter, a task force specialty. Training alongside Norwegian soldiers were elite units from other nations, including U.K. Royal Marines and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command.
Civilian-military integration and medical training represented key components of Cold Response exercises. The Norwegian military and civilian medical personnel are practicing war surgery using live pigs in anesthesia during Cold Response. This is the first time pure civilian teams have been integrated into a military field hospital, according to defense surgeon Marius Vandvik. The Norwegian military has used Live Tissue Training with pigs since 1977, and a NATO report concludes LTT should not be replaced but should be reduced and improved. A key feature of this year's exercise is a stronger emphasis on the role of civilians in supporting military operations during wartime.
Reindeer herder conflicts highlighted environmental and community considerations in Arctic military exercises. Reindeer herders were sidelined in planning for Cold Response, with British soldiers disturbing a herd for three days despite warnings, according to reindeer district leader Johan Anders Oskal. The Norwegian Army apologizes for the incident, saying information about 'no-zones' didn't reach British soldiers before they established camp, according to communications chief Lars Ø. Strøm. The reindeer district hasn't responded to meeting invitations since 2019, though the long-term impact of this incident on future exercises and local relations remains unclear.
Methods for concealment are constantly evolving due to technology developments, and what worked four years ago might not work today.
Drone and autonomous systems testing in Arctic conditions addressed modern warfare requirements. Exercise 'Heimdall' tested drones and autonomous systems in Arctic conditions with 170 personnel from 13 military units and 23 civilian companies. Drones play a central role in Ukraine's defense and need to work in northern conditions too, according to Richard Hjelmberg from Shield AI. Norwegian reconnaissance soldiers carry their own unmanned craft to spy on adversaries, with the unit experimenting with different types of winterized surveillance drones, including American-made Skydio and first-person-view models. According to www.defensenews.com, Poster Boy described how those drone systems will be increasingly relevant in a potential conflict with Russia, where the battle space would consist of vast stretches of icy land.
Home Guard adaptations reflect lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. Home Guard training has changed due to experiences from Ukraine, with new drills and tactics, according to soldier Sindre Karlsen. Norwegian instructors have trained thousands of Ukrainian soldiers through Operation Interflex. Home Guard soldiers now train minimum five days per year, up from two previously, though there's a shortage of ammunition for Home Guard training, according to troop sergeant Eivind Myrstad Ingvaldsen.
International diplomatic context included U.S. Arctic interests and Greenland controversy. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States should control Greenland to counter potential influence from Russia and China in the Arctic. The Danish government and Greenland's authorities have firmly rejected the idea that Greenland is for sale. Denmark is still participating in the NATO drills alongside U.S. forces, highlighting alliance unity in Arctic defence planning.
Logistical movements and public notifications accompanied the exercise's conclusion. From March 18, military vehicles can pass through Västerbotten on their way home southward, with emphasis during the weekend of March 20-22. Cold Response has been conducted in Finland, and there will be increased military traffic in Norrbotten, Sweden as Cold Response concludes. The public is urged not to hinder a convoy and to follow any signs and recommendations, and not to photograph military vehicles, according to Länsstyrelsen i Västerbotten.
Those drone systems will be increasingly relevant in a potential conflict with Russia, where the battle space would consist of vast stretches of icy land.
Norwegian-British military cooperation strengthened during the exercises. Crown Prince Haakon visited Cold Response, meeting allied soldiers at Camp Viking. Britain has doubled its military presence in Norway due to increased threat from Russia. Norway and Britain are considering joint purchase of up to 30 boats for coastal forces.
U.S. F-35 withdrawal from the exercise raised questions about operational priorities. The U.S. military has withdrawn one squadron of F-35 Lightning II fighter jets that were initially scheduled to take part in the exercise. Officials declined to confirm whether the redeployment was linked to ongoing military commitments elsewhere, noting that U.S. forces are frequently reassigned depending on operational priorities, leaving the specific reasons for the withdrawal unclear.
Sharing exercise results and international collaboration will continue beyond Cold Response. The final results from the 100-day exercise research project will be shared with other countries, including Sweden, according to Jørgen Melau. Vinterenheten and I19 in Boden are experts in cold and train Swedes and allies from NATO on an ongoing basis. According to SVT Nyheter, Jørgen Melau described how he had not heard of anyone ever doing a similar experiment to the 100-day exercise.
Broader geopolitical context underscores Arctic militarization and climate change implications. The Arctic is gaining greater military significance, and mastering combat in Arctic conditions is becoming more important, according to multiple official sources. NATO's expanded focus on the Arctic underscores the region's growing strategic importance in global geopolitics, with climate change accelerating ice melt and increasing access to shipping routes. According to www.defensenews.com, the officer described how methods for concealment are constantly evolving due to technology developments, and what worked four years ago might not work today.