Cold Response is a long-planned exercise bringing together around 30,000 soldiers from 27 NATO Allies and their partner nations to test their ability to work in cold weather conditions. This year’s large-scale edition has started on 14 March and will continue to 1 April 2022 across Norway.
(Image: Jacqueline C. Arre / Armed Force Marine)
What do we know about the Cold Response 2022?
Cold Response is a Norwegian-led winter exercise that takes place every other year and involves NATO Allies and partners. The purpose of this exercise is to improve military capabilities, test their equipment, and adapt to challenging circumstances while training on offensive and defensive tactical operations.
The military activity is mainly taking place in south-eastern Norway, central Norway and the northern parts of the country- on land, in the air and at the sea. You may be wondering why it is located in Norway?
Norway is centrally located in the strategically important Arctic Region. The country has vast maritime, air and land areas, ideal for military exercises. Norway’s rough landscape, long coastline and rugged mountains provide troops and forces with unique challenges.
Sweden’s part in the Cold Response 2022
Sweden’s ground units together with Finland’s units made up a combat group and have taken part in the exercise. The participating Swedish ground units consist of 1500 enlisted personnel and officers. Although the majority of practices are held in multiple regions of Norway, part of these manoeuvres also takes place in Swedish territory.
Over the past few weeks, Allied and partner nations have been training on reinforcing their military and its transition between sea, air, and land. As the two previous winter exercises in Norway in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, this makes this years’ exercise extra important.
Why Sweden’s participation is important?
Participating in this exercise is very important since training side by side helps the Swedish national defense identify best practices and areas for improvement. Moreover, exercises raise the ability of the army to work together and respond to threats from any direction, on land, at sea, in the air, or in cyberspace.
On 25 March 2022, Minister for Defense, Peter Hultqvist observed the Cold Response in Norway and stated that “The aim of Sweden’s participation is to strengthen our national defense capability and increase the collective capability of the Swedish Armed Forces to respond to an attack against Sweden and against our neighbourhood.”
He also mentioned that “participating in the exercise is an important part of the evolving cooperation with our close partners, the other Nordic countries and NATO. Through exercises like this, we demonstrate which resources we are able to mobilise if necessary.”
Main activities for NATO and partner forces
The exercises will altogether include 14,000 land forces, 13,000 sea forces on vessels, and 8,000 air forces and staff. Below we have compiled exercises that were performed during the Cold Response:
- Deployment of NATO Response Force
- Air, Naval and Special Force operations
- NATO Distinguished Visitor Day
- Amphibious operations
- Visits from political and military leadership
- LIVEX Amphibious and land operation
(Image: NATO / Standing Mine Countermeasures)
Expando’s advanced systems and devices
Having advanced devices and networks to operate in any environment under any condition is an essential part of this exercise. Expando’s products help strengthen Sweden’s defense as we are experienced in working with leading data, electronic devices and network solutions for the military, space and commercial markets.
Expando AB is a regional expert offering defense components and integration projects. We act as representatives or distributors for first-class suppliers and our aim is to be your long-term reliable partner. To discuss your future projects contact us.
