Annual Norwegian Naval Exercise Draws To A Close

Arctic Advance, the yearly naval exercise staged by Forsvaret, the Norwegian Armed Forces, is winding down after a month of manoeuvres aimed at enhancing force readiness.

As per a recent press statement this year the exercise scheduled to end today (Friday) began on November 11 across an area extending from Bergen to Loppa, with most of the activities confined to northern Norway in Vestfjorden and Andfjorden. Vessels intermittently docked in Tromsø, Bodø, and Harstad for refuelling, resupply and down-time for participating crewmembers.

Ships taking part in Arctic Advance this year included the frigate KNM Roald Amundsen, corvettes KNM Gnist and KNM Glimt, supply vessel KNM Olav Tryggvason, minesweeper KNM Hinnøy, and a Norwegian submarine, as well as coast guard vessels, F-35 fighters jets, and surveillance aircraft. The Danish frigate HDMS Vædderen also participated.

Ahead of the exercise Navy Chief Flag Commander Kyrre Haugen had commented: "This annual naval exercise gives us a valuable end to the year, where we improve our operational capacity through targeted capacity development, clearances and commander courses. The exercise has been named Arctic Advance to highlight the importance of presence in the high north and our focus on increasing our operational readiness.

"Through the exercise, we evaluate and train our skilled crews, while also practicing and training our various vessels, capacities, and departments in collaboration with each other and with our allies."

He added: "Exercises like Arctic Advance not only strengthen our national defense capability, but also contribute to global security and freedom of navigation at sea."

• You can read more details on the Forsvaret website