Approximately 25,000 soldiers from 14 nations will participate in the Norwegian-led exercise Cold Response, one of the largest military winter exercises conducted in Northern Europe.
During Cold Response, participating forces will train on the reception of allied reinforcements into Norway, close multinational cooperation, and the execution of military operations under demanding Arctic winter conditions. The objective is to strengthen operational readiness and enhance collective defence capabilities in the High North.
The main phase of the exercise will take place from 9–19 March 2026. In total, around 25,000 personnel will participate. Approximately 11,800 troops will train on Norwegian soil, while the remaining forces will operate at sea, in the air, and in Finland. Within Norway, the exercise will be conducted primarily in Troms and the northern parts of Nordland, as well as in maritime areas off the Norwegian coast.
“In an increasingly unpredictable security environment, it is essential that we continue to strengthen Norway’s defence capabilities. Cold Response demonstrates that Norway and its allies are able to operate together under demanding conditions while improving our ability to defend NATO’s northern flank. The exercise also provides valuable training for the Norwegian Total Defence system in preparedness and crisis management,” said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.
A key component of the exercise is the ability to receive and integrate allied forces rapidly and effectively. Cold Response therefore focuses heavily on interoperability between participating nations, ensuring that allied forces can operate seamlessly together in complex operational environments.
The exercise also includes significant contributions from Norway’s Total Defence system, involving both military and civilian actors. As such, Cold Response forms an important part of Total Defence Year 2026, which emphasises national preparedness and resilience.
Participating nations include Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Belgium. The exercise is also an important opportunity to strengthen interoperability within the Alliance and to further integrate Finland and Sweden into NATO structures following their accession.
Facts: Cold Response 2026
What:
Cold Response is a Norwegian-led military winter exercise conducted every two years, focusing on large-scale allied operations in Arctic and sub-Arctic conditions.
Where:
Training will take place on land and in the air across Northern Norway (Troms and northern Nordland) and northern Finland. Naval operations will be conducted in maritime areas off the Norwegian coast.
When:
The main exercise period runs from 9–19 March 2026. Allied training activities will take place in the weeks preceding the exercise, with continued activity afterwards as forces redeploy to their respective bases and home countries.
Who:
Approximately 25,000 personnel from 14 NATO countries will participate. Around 11,800 will operate on Norwegian soil, while the remainder will participate in maritime, air, and Finnish training areas.
Why:
To demonstrate NATO’s unity and collective strength, test Norway’s defence and Total Defence systems, and train allied forces to defend Norway and NATO’s northern flank.