【軍傳媒／國際軍事新聞】2026年3月，北約與盟國在北歐高緯度地區展開大規模軍事演習「Cold Response 26」。這項由挪威主導、北約盟國共同參與的演習，是當年挪威境內規模最大的軍事活動之一，吸引來自14個國家的約3.2萬名軍人參與，演習範圍涵蓋北挪威、芬蘭北部以及北大西洋沿岸海域。演習的核心目的在於強化北約在高北地區的防衛能力，並驗證盟軍在極端寒冷環境中的聯合作戰能力。
在俄羅斯與西方關係持續緊張、北極地緣政治重要性快速上升的背景下，「Cold Response」系列演習不僅是戰術訓練，更是北約北翼防衛戰略的重要實踐。透過在極地環境進行聯合作戰演練，北約試圖向潛在對手展示其在高北地區的快速部署與聯合作戰能力，以嚇阻可能的不軌意圖。
Cold Response 演習的背景與發展
「Cold Response」系列演習是挪威主導的定期冬季聯合軍事演習，通常每兩年舉行一次。該演習最早可追溯至2006年，最初主要是北約與夥伴國家在挪威境內進行北極區作戰訓練。隨著北極戰略重要性上升與北約對北翼防禦的重視程度提高，Cold Response逐漸發展為北約規模最大的寒區聯合作戰演習之一。
Cold Response 的核心訓練理念在於「在極端環境中作戰」。北挪威擁有典型的高緯度地理特徵，包括崎嶇山地、狹窄峽灣、長時間黑夜與極端低溫。對於多數北約國家而言，這些條件與其本土作戰環境差異巨大，因此挪威成為盟軍寒帶地區作戰訓練的重要基地。
此外，挪威與俄羅斯在北極地區擁有長達約200公里的陸地邊界，且鄰近俄羅斯北方艦隊主要基地，這使得北挪威地區在北約戰略中具有重要地位，是能掐住北海艦隊進入北大西洋的重要位置，Cold Response演習因此被視為北約在北極與北大西洋地區維持嚇阻力的重要軍事活動之一。
Cold Response 26 於2026年3月9日至19日舉行，參與國家包括挪威、美國、英國、德國、法國、荷蘭、義大利、西班牙、加拿大、丹麥、瑞典、芬蘭、土耳其與比利時等14國。演習總兵力約32,500人，其中約25,000人在挪威境內，7,500人在芬蘭境內參與相關訓練。
在挪威境內的演習兵力中，約11,800人參與陸上演練，其餘兵力則部署於海上與空中單位。演習指揮部由挪威與美國聯合組成，設於挪威北部的Reitan指揮中心。
Cold Response 26 的兵力組成涵蓋陸、海、空三軍以及特種部隊，並納入網路與太空領域的作戰要素，形成完整的多域聯合作戰框架。這種多域整合作戰的演練模式，反映了北約近年強調的「多領域作戰」（Multi-domain operations）概念。
在Cold Response 26 的陸上演習中，挪威北部的 Setermoen 軍事基地為主要的作戰中心，Setermoen位於特羅姆斯郡（Troms），是挪威陸軍北方部隊的重要駐地，也是北約在北歐進行寒區作戰訓練的重要基地之一。
Setermoen 擁有完善的軍事訓練設施與廣闊的野戰演訓區域，周邊地形包括森林、山地與雪原，非常適合進行寒區步兵、裝甲與機械化部隊的聯合作戰訓練。Cold Response 26 的多項陸戰演練，包括突破防禦、聯合火力支援以及機動作戰，都在 Setermoen 及其周邊地區進行。
在演習中，來自北約各國的地面部隊必須在低溫與積雪環境中完成行軍、偵察與戰術行動。這些訓練不僅測試部隊在寒區環境下的戰術能力，也考驗後勤補給、醫療支援與裝備維護等多方面能力。
多域聯合作戰演練
Cold Response 26 的一大特色，是其多域聯合作戰設計。演習涵蓋陸、海、空、網路與太空等多個作戰領域，並透過聯合指揮體系進行整合。
- 在空中領域，美國與盟國空軍部署多型戰機與支援機。美國空軍派出F-35A戰鬥機、KC-135空中加油機以及HH-60W戰鬥搜救直升機等參與演習。這些航空兵力分別從挪威多個空軍基地起飛，執行空中支援、空中加油與搜救任務。
- 在海上領域，北約多國海軍艦艇於挪威沿海及北大西洋海域進行海上控制與兩棲作戰演練。這些演練包括海上封鎖、護航與兩棲登陸等作戰課目。
- 陸上作戰方面，各國地面部隊進行突破作戰、防禦戰與城鎮戰訓練，並與空中與海上力量協同作戰。透過這種跨領域整合，演習測試了北約在高強度衝突環境下的聯合作戰能力。
Cold Response 26 不僅包含實兵演練，還結合大規模電腦模擬系統。透過模擬系統，演習指揮部可以在戰場環境中加入更多虛擬部隊，使演習規模與複雜度大幅提升。
這種「實兵與模擬結合」的方式，使參演部隊能在更接近實戰的環境下進行訓練，模擬部隊可模擬敵軍行動、後勤壓力以及多戰線作戰情境，使指揮官能在演習中測試不同戰術與作戰計畫。對於北約而言，這種訓練模式不僅提升演習效率，也能降低成本，同時仍保持高度的作戰真實性。
全社會防衛體系的演練
Cold Response 26 的另一個重要特點，是納入挪威的「全社會防衛」（Total Defence）概念。挪威政府將2026年視為「全社會防衛年」，因此在演習中加入大量民間機構與政府部門的合作演練。醫療機構、交通系統與地方政府均參與相關訓練，以模擬戰時情境下的社會動員與後勤支援。
例如，在演習中模擬大量傷患從芬蘭前線送往挪威醫院的情境，測試醫療體系在戰時處理大規模傷患的能力，這種軍民整合的演練，反映出北歐國家對於「全民防衛」概念的高度重視。
寒區作戰能力的現代意義
寒區作戰對軍隊而言具有特殊挑戰，由於低溫環境會影響武器可靠性、車輛運作與士兵體能，而積雪與結冰地形則限制機動能力，Cold Response 演習的核心價值之一，就是讓各國部隊在真實寒區環境中測試裝備與戰術。
在近年的軍事發展中，極地與高緯度地區的重要性逐漸提升。北極航道、能源資源與戰略通道的競爭，使得寒區作戰能力再次成為大國軍事力量的重要指標。Cold Response 26 展示了北約在高北地區的軍事存在與聯合作戰能力。透過3萬餘名官兵、多國聯合部隊以及多域作戰演練，北約驗證了其在極端寒區環境中的戰術與戰略能力，
隨著芬蘭與瑞典加入北約，北歐地區的戰略格局出現重大變化。Cold Response 26 也被視為北約整合北歐盟國軍事力量的重要測試。演習透過跨國部隊協同作戰，驗證北約在北翼地區的指揮與作戰能力。
在當前國際安全環境充滿不確定性的背景下，高北地區已成為大國競爭的重要舞台，北極地區逐漸成為全球戰略競爭焦點，Cold Response 演習同時也是北約展示存在與嚇阻力的重要手段。透過在極端環境中部署大量兵力並進行實戰化訓練，北約向潛在對手傳達其維護北極安全與海上通道安全的決心。
Exercise Cold Response 26 in Norway
In March 2026, NATO and allied forces conducted the large-scale military exercise Cold Response 26 in the high-latitude regions of Northern Europe. Led by Norway and involving NATO allies, the exercise was one of the largest military activities held in Norway that year. Approximately 32,000 troops from 14 nations participated, with training areas spanning northern Norway, northern Finland, and the surrounding waters of the North Atlantic. The primary objective of the exercise was to strengthen NATO’s defensive capability in the High North while validating allied forces’ ability to conduct joint operations in extremely cold environments.
Against the backdrop of continuing tensions between Russia and the West and the rapidly increasing geopolitical importance of the Arctic, the Cold Response series of exercises serves not only as tactical training but also as a key component of NATO’s northern flank defense strategy. By conducting joint operations in an Arctic environment, NATO seeks to demonstrate its ability to rapidly deploy and coordinate multinational forces in the High North, thereby deterring potential hostile actions.
Background and Development of the Cold Response Exercise
The Cold Response series is a Norwegian-led winter joint military exercise held approximately every two years. The exercise dates back to 2006, when it was originally designed to train NATO and partner nations in Arctic warfare conditions within Norway. As the strategic importance of the Arctic has grown and NATO has increased its focus on defending its northern flank, Cold Response has evolved into one of NATO’s largest multinational exercises conducted in cold-weather environments.
The core training concept of Cold Response is “fighting in extreme conditions.” Northern Norway features typical high-latitude terrain, including rugged mountains, narrow fjords, prolonged winter darkness, and extremely low temperatures. For many NATO member states, such conditions differ significantly from their domestic operational environments, making Norway an essential training ground for allied forces preparing for operations in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions.
Norway also shares an approximately 200-kilometer land border with Russia in the Arctic region and lies close to the bases of Russia’s Northern Fleet. This geographic reality gives northern Norway significant strategic importance within NATO planning. Control of this region could potentially influence access routes between the Russian Northern Fleet and the North Atlantic. Consequently, the Cold Response exercise is widely regarded as an important NATO activity aimed at maintaining deterrence in both the Arctic and North Atlantic theaters.
Participating Nations and Forces
Cold Response 26 took place from 9–19 March 2026. Participating countries included Norway, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Türkiye, and Belgium, totaling 14 nations. The exercise involved approximately 32,500 personnel, with about 25,000 troops operating in Norway and roughly 7,500 conducting training activities in Finland.
Of the forces deployed within Norway, around 11,800 personnel participated in land operations, while the remainder operated in maritime and air components. The exercise command structure was jointly led by Norway and the United States and operated from the Reitan Joint Headquarters in northern Norway.
The force composition included army, navy, air force, and special operations units, as well as elements related to cyber and space domains, forming a comprehensive multi-domain operational framework. This integrated approach reflects NATO’s increasing emphasis on Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) in modern warfare.
Setermoen: A Key Arctic Training Hub
During Cold Response 26, the Setermoen military base in northern Norway served as a major center for ground operations. Located in Troms County, Setermoen is home to key units of the Norwegian Army’s northern forces and is considered one of NATO’s most important facilities for cold-weather warfare training in Northern Europe.
Setermoen features extensive training grounds and well-developed military infrastructure. The surrounding terrain includes forests, mountainous areas, and snow-covered fields, making it particularly suitable for infantry, armored, and mechanized operations in Arctic conditions. Several major land exercises during Cold Response 26—including defensive operations, combined fire support, and maneuver warfare—were conducted in and around the Setermoen training area.
During these exercises, ground forces from multiple NATO nations conducted marches, reconnaissance missions, and tactical maneuvers under low temperatures and deep snow conditions. Such training not only tested battlefield tactics but also evaluated logistics, medical support, equipment maintenance, and mobility under harsh winter conditions.
Multi-Domain Operational Training
A defining feature of Cold Response 26 was its multi-domain operational design. The exercise integrated activities across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains, coordinated through a unified command structure.
In the air domain, U.S. and allied air forces deployed multiple aircraft types. The U.S. Air Force contributed F-35A fighter aircraft, KC-135 aerial refueling tankers, and HH-60W combat rescue helicopters. These aircraft operated from various Norwegian air bases and carried out missions including air support, aerial refueling, and combat search and rescue.
At sea, NATO naval forces operated in the Norwegian coastal waters and the North Atlantic, conducting exercises such as maritime control, convoy escort, and amphibious operations.
On land, multinational ground forces conducted breakthrough operations, defensive maneuvers, and urban warfare training, coordinating closely with both air and naval units. Through this cross-domain integration, Cold Response 26 tested NATO’s ability to conduct joint operations in a high-intensity conflict scenario.
Integration of Live and Simulated Forces
Cold Response 26 combined live military operations with large-scale computer simulation systems. Through advanced simulation technologies, exercise planners were able to incorporate additional virtual forces into the battlefield environment, significantly increasing the scale and complexity of the exercise.
This live-virtual integration allowed participating forces to train in an environment that closely resembles real combat conditions. Simulated forces could represent opposing enemy units, logistics constraints, and multi-front combat scenarios. This enabled commanders to experiment with different operational plans and tactics during the exercise.
For NATO, such training methods improve the realism of exercises while also reducing costs, allowing large-scale operational concepts to be tested without requiring equivalent physical deployments.
The “Total Defence” Concept
Another important feature of Cold Response 26 was the incorporation of Norway’s “Total Defence” concept.
The Norwegian government designated 2026 as the “Year of Total Defence,” integrating civilian agencies into the exercise. Medical services, transportation networks, and local governments participated in scenarios designed to simulate wartime mobilization and logistical support.
For example, one scenario simulated the evacuation of large numbers of wounded soldiers from the Finnish front line to Norwegian hospitals. This exercise tested the healthcare system’s ability to handle mass casualty situations during wartime. Such civil-military cooperation reflects the Nordic countries’ strong emphasis on comprehensive national defense.
Strategic Significance in the High North
Cold Response 26 demonstrated NATO’s ability to operate effectively in the High North region. With more than 30,000 personnel and multinational forces operating across multiple domains, the exercise validated NATO’s capacity to conduct large-scale joint operations under extreme Arctic conditions.
The strategic landscape of Northern Europe has shifted significantly following the NATO accession of Finland and Sweden. Cold Response 26 served as an important test of NATO’s ability to integrate Nordic forces into its broader defense structure. Through multinational coordination, the exercise evaluated NATO’s command and operational capabilities along its northern flank.
In the current international security environment, the High North has become a key arena of great-power competition. The Arctic’s shipping routes, energy resources, and strategic sea lanes have increased its global importance. Within this context, exercises such as Cold Response play an important role in demonstrating NATO’s presence and deterrence.
By deploying large forces in extreme conditions and conducting realistic combat training, NATO signals its determination to maintain security in the Arctic region and safeguard vital sea lines of communication.