Britain’s flagship aircraft carrier, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, is currently training along the coast of Norway. – This is in Norway’s interests, said the Navy Commander.

– These activities send an important signal about our close relationships with our allies, and enhance the credibility of collective defense and deterrence.

This is what the Chief of the Navy, Trond Gimmingsrud, told VG about why British forces are operating along the coast of Norway.

He would not say anything about the carrier’s current location, for security reasons.

The presence of the British aircraft carrier provides an opportunity for the Norwegian Armed Forces to train with the militaries of other NATO countries. Several exercises are planned, including with the Indonesian Navy and Indonesian Air Force.

– Norway has an interest in having its allies train and operate with us in our territory. With war in Europe, unity in NATO is more important than ever to maintain our collective security. This is a practical example of that, Gimmingsrud said.

A new normal situation with increasing foreign presence

– This happened at a time when the world situation was tense. Through this and similar activities, we show that NATO countries stand together. This is an important part of our defense concept – we are not alone in defending the north, explained the Marine commander.

Before the summer, the world’s largest warship docked in Oslo, the USS Gerald R. Ford, before training along the coast of Norway. The Allied presence in Norway and along the coastline is now part of the new normal.

– That our allies gain experience in operating in our immediate region will build security for Norway, and security for its population. By operating together, our procedures become coordinated, and we learn better how to utilize each other’s sensors and weapons.

– There are critical factors in a crisis or conflict that require us to secure supply lines, receive allied reinforcements, and combat threats, Gimmingsrud said.

See a photo gallery of the British aircraft carrier HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH along the coast of Norway:

Both positive and negative

War captainWar captainOrlogkaptein is an officer rank in the Norwegian Navy, and falls between the titles of captain lieutenant and captain commander. in the Swedish Navy, Tor Ivar Strømmen, researches naval power theory from a coastal state perspective.

He believes no other country will be concerned by the increased activity along Norway’s coast.

– Is it positive or negative that foreign military forces operate and train along the coast of Norway?

– Both of them. This is a positive thing because these foreigners, namely the British, are our allies. Therefore, it is one of the most important resources that we can and should rely on if Russia chooses to use military force against Norway, and consequently also to prevent the use of such military force.

– This is negative because it shows the dangerous security policy situation we are facing, which means we and our allies must take active measures to guarantee peace and our own interests. At the same time, the large presence of allies shows that Norway is not looking after its own interests and those of its allies in the region.

The war captain believes, as do the Marine commanders, that this is part of the new normal, while Russia is actively and aggressively using military force to support its political goals.

– Unique opportunities

Strømmen believes that the strategic center of gravity of the Russian great powers is their ability to annihilate enemies with the help of nuclear weapons.

– The only parts of their nuclear deterrent that are less vulnerable to possible pre-emptive attacks by others are strategic submarines and “doomsday torpedo” carrier submarines. Therefore, they are a guarantee of the survival of the Russian state and freedom of action in its foreign policy.

– What impact will this have on Norway and the Norwegian Armed Forces?

– This collaboration means unique opportunities for joint training, but also means that the Norwegian Armed Forces will receive a number of additional tasks as a result of allied activities. In the short term this may make us better off, but it also undermines our very limited capacity and could actually weaken our national preparedness in the long term, said Strømmen.

– How concrete is the collaboration in this exercise?

– In this exercise, you work with all areas of maritime warfare, namely anti-surface warfare, underwater warfare, and anti-air warfare. In addition, carrier aircraft operations will be closely integrated into our air operations.