Norway Intelligence Reports on Heightened Threat of Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons
The Norwegian Intelligence Service has issued a report warning that the Russian Federation’s tactical nuclear weapons pose a serious threat to Norway and the NATO military alliance. The report noted that these weapons represent a grave threat in several operational scenarios in which NATO countries may be involved.[0]
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence has previously stated that the threat of Russia’s use of tactical nuclear weapons against them is very high. The Russian Northern Fleet’s warships have now started to sail with tactical nuclear weapons on board for the first time in 30 years.
The Norwegian Intelligence Service noted that during the Soviet era, Northern Fleet warships regularly went to sea with nuclear weapons, but this is the first time the modern Russian Federation has done the same. The agency emphasized that “the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West mean that Russia will continue to pose the greatest nuclear threat to NATO, and therefore to Norway.”
The report claims that Russia will maintain, modernize and develop its nuclear arsenal, but no significant changes in Russian nuclear doctrine are expected in the coming years.[1] It also warns that an escalation of a localized war into a wider conflict involving the Unites States, NATO and Norway cannot be ruled out.[1]
Furthermore, due to the war in Ukraine, Russia has an increased need for information about military capacities in Norway and NATO's expansion in the Nordic region, especially pending the accession of Sweden and Finland to the alliance.[2] Should the need arise, Norway will be instrumental in providing Sweden and Finland with NATO aid, as well as increasing Norwegian presence in the Baltic region.[3]
The Norwegian intelligence report is a reminder of the serious threat that Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons pose to NATO countries and should be taken into consideration when planning for military operations.
0. “Russia deploying nuclear missile carriers in Arctic for first time since collapse of USSR, Norwegian intelligence reports” Yahoo News, 14 Feb. 2023, https://news.yahoo.com/russia-deploying-nuclear-missile-carriers-092000218.html
1. “Russia deploys nuclear-armed ships for first time in 30 years, Norway says” POLITICO Europe, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-nuclear-ships-norway-ukraine-war/
2. “What are the biggest threats facing Norway this year?” The Local Norway, 13 Feb. 2023, https://www.thelocal.no/20230213/what-are-the-biggest-threats-facing-norway-this-year
3. “New national threat evaluations reflect ‘a more dangerous world'” Views and News from Norway, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.newsinenglish.no/2023/02/14/new-national-threat-evaluations-reflect-a-more-dangerous-world
