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last mo.

NATO’s Cold Response Drills Press On in Arctic as Norway’s F-35s Shadow Russian Spy Planes

Norwegian officials call the encounters routine during a 25,000–32,000-strong Arctic exercise.

Soldaten bei der Nato-Übung "Cold Response" in Nordnorwegen.
Image
Bei der Nato-Übung "Cold Response" wird für einen Einsatz in der Arktis trainiert.
Russische Iljuschin-Spionageflugzeuge nähern sich immer wieder dem Nato-Luftraum. Im Bild fängt ein deutscher Eurofighter eine Iljuschin Il-20 über der Ostsee ab.

Overview

  • Norwegian F-35s intercepted and escorted Il-20M reconnaissance aircraft on two days this week near the training area, tracking them for hundreds of kilometers before the planes returned to the Kola Peninsula.
  • Officials said at least one Russian aircraft was detected over the Barents Sea with its transponder switched off and was identified along the Norwegian coast north of Vesterålen and as far south as Lofoten before turning back.
  • Training continues under severe cold, snow and heavy rain that participants and Norwegian planners describe as among the worst conditions the exercise has faced.
  • NATO units are testing drone employment for Arctic operations, applying lessons from Ukraine as commanders highlight technical limits for many systems in extreme cold.
  • The drills draw forces from 14 NATO nations, including about 4,000 U.S. personnel, and a Marine spokesman described a temporary F-35 squadron redeployment as a normal adjustment.