Camilla Jessen
With Russian military activity growing in the Arctic, Norway is rethinking its long-held defense strategy in Svalbard.
Norway is considering increasing its military presence in and around Svalbard, following a surge in Russian military activity and rhetoric in the Arctic.
This includes reactivated air bases, intensified war exercises near Murmansk, and sightings of suspected spy ships in nearby waters.
State Secretary Eivind Petersson from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the government is updating its defense plans in response to this “new security reality.”
“We do not rule out that there may be more activity in and around Svalbard. It is natural that things will happen in the future,” Petersson told Norwegian media TV4 Nyheterne.
Why Svalbard Matters
Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic with a special international status defined by the Svalbard Treaty of 1920.
The treaty allows citizens of signatory countries, including Russia, to live and operate there under Norwegian sovereignty.
About 300 Russians currently reside in the mining town of Barentsburg, where they run a coal operation. They live just a few dozen kilometers from Longyearbyen, the main Norwegian settlement.
In the past, relations between the two communities were cordial, with shared events like sports tournaments and cultural festivals. However, due to rising geopolitical tensions, that friendly contact has faded.
“We avoid traveling to Barentsburg. We try to ignore it,” said Eric Boudier, a resident of Longyearbyen.
Fishing Zones and Spy Ships
Tensions have also been fueled by disputes over protected fishing zones, Russian naval movements, suspected intelligence-gathering, and vessels operating near Svalbard.
These developments have made Arctic security a priority for Norwegian defense planning.
The idea of boosting military presence on what is technically a demilitarized archipelago has left many locals feeling conflicted.
“As a person in the world, I think it is nice that Svalbard is a demilitarized area,” said Anne Marie Bruu, a Longyearbyen resident. “But we can’t be naive and think we’re so far north that nothing will hit us.”
