BADDEREN, Norway: Finnish conscript Atte Ohman, a 19-year-old corporal, stood ready aboard a US landing ship, preparing to join a rapid response unit storming a snow-swept Norwegian beach against an invading enemy. “There’s a saying that goes, ‘If you want to keep the peace, you need to prepare for war,'” he told AFP, gripping his automatic rifle. “That’s precisely what we’re doing.”
This simulated assault formed part of NATO’s extensive four-month Steadfast Defender exercise — the largest maneuvers undertaken by the US-led military alliance since the Cold War. Swedish gunboats raced towards the shore, Italian paratroopers descended from helicopters, and French marines skied into position.
The message was unmistakable — NATO stands ready to defend itself against an increasingly assertive Russia, now two years into its war on Ukraine.
Last week saw the alliance expand further with Sweden becoming its 32nd member, almost a year after Finland joined. “We’re signaling our readiness to defend our territories while enhancing our ability to operate jointly,” Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson explained to AFP, observing tanks from his country engaging in mock battles along the Norwegian-Finnish border.
“While Russian ground forces are currently engaged in Ukraine, Russia harbors ambitions to reconstitute itself and adjust its force posture,” he added.
As Russia appears to be gaining momentum against Ukrainian forces, concerns have emerged that Moscow could eventually target a NATO member. Despite significant losses in Ukraine, Russia has shifted its economy into a war footing. Meanwhile, Western allies of Kyiv struggle to boost production of critical weaponry, and support for Ukraine wavers.
Norway’s defense chief, Eirik Kristoffersen, noted that the number of Russian forces stationed near his country is now only a fifth of what it was before Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, he cautioned, “On the maritime, air, and nuclear fronts, they’ve maintained their forces in our region. There’s uncertainty about how long they’ll continue to sustain losses in Ukraine and how long it’ll take for them to rebuild their military.”
