Norway's defence minister has warned that Russia could threaten a strategic Arctic chokepoint, potentially placing London within range of hypersonic missiles. Tore Sandvik told The Times that Moscow might seek to control the Bear Gap, a 400-mile stretch of water between mainland Norway and the Svalbard archipelago, to gain access to the Atlantic.
Sandvik emphasised the Bear Gap's significance for UK homeland defence, stating that if Russia controls the northern part of Scandinavia and the Bear Gap, it poses a direct threat to the UK. He noted that Russia's hypersonic missiles could then target NATO members, including London, Norway, and Denmark.
Under the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, Norway has sovereignty over Svalbard but cannot fortify the territory or establish a permanent military presence there. However, Norway has responded by amending legislation to facilitate deportations of sanctioned Russian nationals and purchasing eight British Type 26 frigates in 2025.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere recently travelled to Paris to sign a defence agreement with France, including Norway joining a French-led nuclear weapons initiative. Stoere cited Russia's massive rearmament and its war in Ukraine as reasons for enhanced cooperation.
Russia's Northern Fleet, which accounts for around two-thirds of its navy's nuclear strike capabilities, has seen significant investment. In February, British Defence Secretary John Healey warned that Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic security since the Cold War, prompting the UK to double its troop presence in Norway and scale up joint exercises.
