Arktis

 

NATO to launch Arctic surveillance mission modeled after operations countering Russia in Baltic Sea

By 

John Vandiver

Stars and Stripes • February 5, 2026

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U.S. Marines and sailors prepare to launch an RQ-20 Puma unmanned aircraft system from a combat rubber reconnaissance craft during Operation Baltic Sentry in Southern Finland, Feb. 28, 2025. NATO is poised to step up its military presence in the Arctic region with a new surveillance mission similar to Baltic Sentry, an alliance spokesman said. (Brian Bolin Jr./U.S. Marine Corp)

NATO is poised to step up its military presence in the Arctic region with a new surveillance mission modeled along the lines of a similar effort in the Baltics, an alliance spokesman said this week.

“The activity will even further strengthen NATO’s posture in the Arctic and High North,” Col. Martin L. O’Donnell, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe spokesperson, said Thursday.