NATO planning massive military exercise in Norway in 2018

military exercise in NorwayFinnmark.Military exercise in Norway,Photo: Ole-Sverre Haugli/Hæren/Forsvarets mediesenter / NTB scanpix

Officers from several NATO countries were gathered Tuesday at Værnes to plan the exercise Trident junctures in Central Norway in 2018.

It is probably the largest military exercise in Norway ever.

– Based on what we know now they are clearly talking about the greatest exercise that has been in Norway in recent times.

It may be up to 50,000 people participating, said Maj Elisabeth Eikeland of Defense operational headquarters, to the newspaper Adresseavisen.

In the planning phase, several places in South Trøndelag and Nordmøre are being talked about as locations for this to happen, and will be considered and other activities in mountain areas towards Østerdalen and Gudbrandsdalen are also being discussed. In consultation with the agencies drawing up a plan they will see what  is legal and possible.

Both sea, air and land forces will participate in the exercise, but the final number of who is attending will not be ready until 2018.

The NATO exercise Trident junctures is held every three years. Last year it was organized in Portugal, Italy and Spain, with 35,000 participants.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today

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