The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has begun a large-scale Arctic military exercise called “Cold Response 2026” in northern Europe.
The drill is designed to improve the ability of allied forces to operate and coordinate effectively in harsh winter environments, where freezing temperatures, snow-covered terrain, and limited visibility create significant challenges for military operations.
The drills, named Cold Response, focus on defending the alliance in the European Arctic, where NATO-members Norway and Finland share a border with Russia, and will run 9-19 March 2026.
This year, some 25,000 troops from some 14 nations -including the U.S. and Denmark will take part in Cold Response, mostly across northern Norway and Finland.
The U.S. is expected to have some 4,000 troops present.
Norway has declared 2026 the year of “total defence”, which puts emphasis on boosting the readiness of civilians, businesses and public institutions to cope with war and other catastrophes, the latest move by a Nordic nation to boost civilian preparedness.
The military will run a scenario testing the ability of hospitals in northern Norway to treat a high number of casualties being transported from an imaginary frontline in Finland.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
Established: 4 April 1949
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military alliance formed to ensure collective security among its member countries.
Founding Members: 12 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Iceland.
If one member is attacked, all members consider it an attack on themselves.
As of March 2026, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has 32 member countries.
32 member countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Greece, Türkiye (Turkey), Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland (joined 2023), Sweden (joined 2024).
