NATO to show military muscle in Norway exercises
Some 50,000 troops will kick off NATO's biggest military exercises since the Cold War on Thursday in Norway, a massive show of force that has already rankled neighboring Russia.
Trident Juncture 18, which runs until Nov 7, is aimed at training the Alliance to mobilize quickly to defend an ally under attack. The head of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command, US Navy Admiral James Foggo, said the exercise was intended to "show NATO is capable to defend against any adversary.
Not a particular country, anyone." Russia, which carried out its biggest ever military exercises in September in the Far East, has not been officially identified as the intended adversary, but it is on everyone's minds after the 2014 Ukraine crisis.
"Russia doesn't represent a direct military threat to Norway," Norwegian Defense Minister told AFP. "But in a security situation as complicated as we have an incident elsewhere could very well heighten tensions in the North and we want to prepare the Alliance in order to avoid any unfortunate incidents," he added.
When at full strength, 700 US Marines will be on rotation on Norwegian soil."The main NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region, near Russia's borders," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, slamming "the sabre-rattling".
"Such irresponsible actions are bound to lead to a destabilization of the political situation in the North, to heighten tensions," she said, vowing Moscow would "take the necessary retaliatory measures to ensure its security."Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian army has already beefed up considerably in the Arctic.
Military air bases have been built or refurbished, and new radar and anti-aircraft missile systems have been installed.In addition, the backbone of the Russian navy, the Northern Fleet, is due to receive five new warships, five support vessels, and 15 aircraft by the end of the year, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
