Royal Marines conduct Arctic reconnaissance
Missions prepare NATO Cold Response 26 drill
Footage released showing UK Royal Marines conducting covert reconnaissance in Northern Norway’s icy fjords ahead of a large NATO Arctic exercise. The Royal Navy said the missions prepared for Cold Response 26, a multinational drill expected to involve about 25,000 troops from 14 nations and to run in mid-March.
Specialist Shore Reconnaissance Troop teams from the Commando Force Boat Operators carried out advance force operations to assess coastal terrain, identify suitable landing sites and gather intelligence to support follow-on forces. Missions required extensive Arctic training: teams endured temperatures down to around -30°C, rough seas and swims in near-freezing water to map routes, evaluate beachheads and test cold-weather equipment including snowmobiles, communications systems and survival gear.
Military officials described the reconnaissance as a critical early step in planning complex, multinational exercises involving ships, aircraft and ground forces, enabling commanders to select training areas, logistics hubs and defensive positions while mitigating operational risks posed by extreme terrain and weather. The patrols involved cooperation with NATO partners already active in northern environments, with allies sharing expertise on mobility, survival and search-and-rescue coordination in limited daylight and storm conditions.
Officials framed the planned operation as defensive and readiness-focused, aimed at improving the alliance’s ability to respond to emergencies, protect remote infrastructure and operate effectively in the High North as melting sea ice opens new maritime routes and strategic competition increases. For the Royal Marines, Arctic deployment and reconnaissance form part of longstanding cold-weather capabilities; intelligence from the current missions is expected to shape final exercise planning and reinforce NATO’s emphasis on preparedness in an increasingly contested Arctic.
