Brunssum, The Netherlands – Lieutenant General Luis Lanchares, Deputy Commander Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum (DCOM JFCBS), visited Norwegian Exercise Joint Viking 2023, which takes place from 6th until 16th March 2023 in the High North of Norway, mainly in the Inner Troms Region bordering both Finland and Russia.
Lt. Gen. Lanchares and representatives from other NATO Commands had the opportunity to witness the skills and professionalism of the Norwegian military and other NATO and partner nations’ personnel as they trained to protect the Alliance in the extreme climate north of the Arctic Circle.
More than 20,000 soldiers from the host nation and nine other NATO and partner countries (Canada, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the USA) are participating. Although the bulk of the troops are Land Forces, Navy and Air Force assets are also involved with approximately 50 aircraft and 40 ships.
During the exercise, Norway and her NATO Allies and Partners train to defend and protect Norwegian territory. Since NATO is the backbone in the defence of Norway, together they assure that they are able and willing to meet any threat to Norway’s borders, values and democracy.
In the frame of the exercise, the United Kingdom announced the opening of a military base in the far north of Norway to strengthen NATO’s capabilities in the Arctic amid concerns following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The newly established Norwegian site, called Camp Viking, will serve as a hub for Royal Marines Commandos.
Norwegian military winter exercise Joint Viking is conducted every two years. It is the largest exercise held in Norway in 2023, and is led by the Norwegian Armed Forces.