EURASIA ’s Hot Response to NATO’s ‘Cold Response’ Exercise OE Watch Commentary: ‘Cold Response,’ this year’s major NATO allied exercise in Norway, started on 2 March with over 15,000 personnel from nine countries. Initially planned to continue until the 18th, it ended prematurely on the 11th due to Norway experiencing an outbreak of coronavirus, which turned the Norwegian military’s focus to dealing with the crisis and containing the virus. Russia normally responds to Norway’s military exercises in the Arctic with an exercise of its own and, as the accompanying passage from the Barents Sea Independent Observer discusses, has held true to form this year as well.

As the article discusses, “over 1000 troops and 220 pieces of equipment including [122mm] Grad multiple rocket launchers, the [122mm 2S1] Gvozdika and [152mm 2S3] Akatsiya-propelled howitzers as well as guided anti- guided missiles are involved.” The training includes “supporting fire by heavy howitzers for a counter attack against enemy forces and subsequent ‘destruction of the enemy’.” The artillery involved in Russian firing is familiar to veterans of the Cold War. This does not mean that this self-propelled artillery is outdated or less lethal than the latest Russian artillery. Russians upgrade and rebuild their older weapons systems while gradually introducing their latest equipment into the force. The new systems use identical parts from the old systems. Their modernization program saves money, requires fewer replacement parts and insures that the new equipment reaching the force has been thoroughly ‘soldier-proofed.’ End OE Watch Commentary (Grau)

“[T]his year’s Russian drills along Norway’s NATO border are seen as a response to the allied exercise Cold Response in northern Norway. While the western soldiers ended their war games ahead of schedule because of the corona virus, the Russian troops are unlikely to reciprocate.”

Source: Atle Staalesen, “Big bang from Arctic Brigade near Scandinavian border,” The Barents Sea Independent Observer, 11 March 2020. https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2020/03/big-bang-arctic-brigade-near-border

Big bang from Arctic Brigade near Scandinavian border It is not uncommon when the holds exercises in the Pechenga area in early spring. But this year’s Russian drills along Norway’s NATO border are seen as a response to the allied exercise Cold Response in northern Norway. While the western soldiers ended their war games ahead of schedule because of the coronavirus, the Russian troops are unlikely to reciprocate. According to the Northern Fleet, more than thousand troops and 220 pieces of equipment including [122mm] Grad multiple rocket launchers, the [122mm 2S1] Gvozdika and [152mm 2S3] Akatsiya-propelled howitzers as well as guided anti-tank guided missiles are involved. The training scenario includes supporting fire by heavy howitzers for a counter attack against enemy forces and subsequent “destruction of the enemy.” The artillery fired at targets up to 15 kilometers away… The training takes place on the Pechenga firing ranges, only few kilometers from the border with Norway. The 200rd Motorized Rifle Brigade is the primary unit involved. These troops are based in Pechenga area and is part of Russia’s Arctic Brigade. The 80th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade in Alakurtti and the 61st Naval Infantry Brigade in Sputnik are other elements of the Arctic ground forces. The Northern Fleet has kept a close eye on NATO’s Cold Response exercise in northern Norway. Russian ships and aircraft are evident in areas adjacent to the Norwegian training grounds….

OE Watch | April 2020 14