German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called for reinforced deterrence and defence efforts along NATO's northern flank, citing growing hybrid threats from Russia and Moscow's continued expansion of its military presence in the Arctic.
Speaking in Bodø, north of the Arctic Circle, after meeting Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide, Wadephul described Norway as NATO's "early-warning sonar and radar in the North Atlantic". The two ministers toured the Norwegian armed forces headquarters in Reitan and visited a NATO air operations centre that opened in Bodø last October. Beijing is also deepening its Arctic engagement through strategic infrastructure investments and research activities, adding to allied concerns.
The visit follows a multi-billion-euro agreement reached last week with Canada to modernise its submarine fleet, underscoring Berlin's push to bolster maritime capabilities across the alliance's northern approaches.