Abstract
The debate about how to defend NATO’s northern flank is closely connected to geographic particularities, the demanding Arctic climate, as well as to ever-evolving technological developments. This research article aims at investigating the role land power plays in this region, with a special focus on northern Norway. Through investigating how structure and composition of land forces matter at the political-strategic level, as well as the role played by allied land forces in Northern Norway, this article seeks to better connect the ongoing debate about the structure of land forces in northern Norway to the political-strategic level. The article seeks to answer the research question by using historical sources and official military documents, as well as qualitative interviews.
Highlights
The debate about how to defend NATO’s northern flank is closely connected to geographic particularities, the demanding arctic climate, as well as ever-evolving technological developments.This debate has primarily been a professional military debate, where the maritime dimension has taken centre stage, often focusing on questions about the challenges posed by Russia’s evolving military force posture in the north and NATO’s military preparedness to meet challenges from the east
It is important to improve our knowledge on the strategic role the land power component represents in this region
Thorough studies of the planned territorial defence of Northern Norway during the Cold War have been released in the last two decades.[14]. These are studies of – perhaps – surprisingly high relevance today, as many of the same unique geographical and climatic challenges are just as relevant today as they were during the Cold War, despite technological innovations
Summary
The debate about how to defend NATO’s northern flank is closely connected to geographic particularities, the demanding arctic climate, as well as ever-evolving technological developments.This debate has primarily been a professional military debate, where the maritime dimension has taken centre stage, often focusing on questions about the challenges posed by Russia’s evolving military force posture in the north and NATO’s military preparedness to meet challenges from the east. In this discussion, technological innovation and new battle concepts have informed, and sometimes changed, operational and strategic planning in the West. This research focus will encompass an assessment of the role of Norwegian land forces as a part of the potential combined allied force posture in Norway in peace, crises and war
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