Arctic Chiefs of Defense Meeting in Iceland
Gathered in Iceland (from left): Finland's Chief of Defense, General Janne Jaakkola; Norway's Chief of Defense, General Eirik Kristoffersen; Iceland's Chief of Defense Jónas Allansson; US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr.; Canada’s Chief of the Defense Staff, General Jennie Carignan; Denmark's Chief of Defense, General Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard – and Sweden's Chief of Defense, Michael Claesson. (Photo: Benjamin D. Applebaum/US DoD)
Recently, the allied Arctic chiefs of defense met in Keflavík to discuss the regional security situation and the opportunities for increased cooperation. The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also met bilaterally with his counterparts from Norway, Sweden and Iceland.
Last week, Iceland hosted the annual meeting between the chiefs of defense of the seven Arctic allied states.
“As the strategic importance of the Arctic continues to grow, the chiefs of defense discussed opportunities for increased regional cooperation, including in response to challenges brought about by climate change, economic activities and increased maritime traffic,” writes the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Two and a half years following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, they also discussed increased Russian military build-up and the importance of maintaining situational awareness in the region,” the ministry continues.
This meeting format serves as a framework for exchanging information and building a common understanding of the security situation, as well as for coordinating and developing cooperation in the region.
The Arctic chiefs of defense took part in a helicopter tour over the Icelandic peninsula of Reykjanes, where there are around 30 major volcanoes and 700 craters. From left: Norway's CHOD Eirik Kristoffersen, US CJCS Charles Q. Brown Jr. and Denmark's CHOD Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard. (Photo: Benjamin D. Applebaum/US DoD)
New chiefs of defense and DoD Arctic strategy
Last year’s Arctic chiefs of defense meeting was held in September in Oslo, Norway, on the sidelines of the NATO Military Committee Conference.
Since then, new chiefs of defense have taken office in the USA (CJCS), Finland, Denmark, Canada (CDS) and Sweden.
"The goal is to enhance our domain awareness and maneuver building in the Arctic," says US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles Q. Brown Jr.
"The US commitment is to secure the Arctic, uphold international law and support our NATO allies," he adds.
This summer, the US Department of Defense launched a new Arctic strategy which i.a. focuses on enhancing domain awareness and Arctic capabilities, as well as engaging with allies in the region.
The strategy also highlights the increasing cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic, including through joint military exercises.
"We are seeing more and more activity where Russia and China are working together, and the Arctic is the most recent area we're seeing. It is something we all need to be paying attention to," Brown maintains.
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Bilateral meetings
During his visit to Iceland, General Brown also had bilateral meetings with his counterparts in Norway, Sweden and Iceland, as well as with the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir.
There is no information on topics for the meetings with the Norwegian and Swedish sides, but with the Icelandic leaders, regional security issues and opportunities to deepen the defense relationship were on the agenda.
“The meeting provided a good opportunity to discuss the cooperation between the states and the challenges we face within security and defense today considering Russia's war on Ukraine and the growing tensions in international relations. Iceland and the United States have enhanced cooperation in recent years with a focus on monitoring and responding in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, which also strengthens the security of all allied nations,” says Gylfadóttir.
“As NATO nations in the Arctic, it is very important that we continue our active and coordinated cooperation to address current and future security challenges and thus contribute to a secure Arctic,” Brown states.
Iceland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörður Gylfadóttir and US CJCS Charles Q. Brown Jr. (Photo: Sigurjón Ragnar/Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Visit at Keflavík Air Station
Since 2014, the US Navy has had a regular rotational presence in Iceland with P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, according to the Icelandic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
General Brown visited the US rotational forces at Keflavík Air Station. They maintain maritime domain awareness and conduct anti-submarine warfare training operations.
The CJCS also took part in an anti-submarine warfare simulation aboard a P-8 aircraft off the coast of Iceland.
General Brown observes US Navy forces on a P-8 Poseidon aircraft during a simulation of anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic. (Photo: Benjamin D. Applebaum/US DoD)
NORDEFCO meeting
In Iceland, the Nordic chiefs of defense also met within the framework of the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), informs the Finnish Defense Forces,
On the agenda was the implementation of NORDEFCO's vision towards 2030 and the new Nordic defense concept.
A key topic was defense material cooperation for increased interchangeability, including joint acquisitions. Olli Ruutu, Director of the Resource Policy Department from the Finnish Ministry of Defense, also attended the meeting.
Denmark holds the chairship of NORDEFCO this year and Finland takes over the baton in 2025.
