US May Start Doubling Marine Presence In Norway By Fall - Norwegian Defense Ministry
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published August 15, 2018 | 06:48 PM
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th August, 2018) The United States could start implementing plans to more than double its Marines presence in Norway and open a new military base as early as this fall, the Norwegian Defense Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday.
"US and Norwegian authorities recently agreed to extend and increase the rotational training and exercises in Norway for units from the USMC [United States Marine Corps]. As a result, the arrangement will continue beyond 2018 and may include up to 700 US marines. In addition to todays activity at Vaernes, a second location at Setermoen will be added," the release said. "We may see additional US marines at Setermoen already during the fall of this year."
The government of Norway in June announced plans to extend the US Marine deployment for five years, boost the number of troops and deploy soldiers to a new location in Setermoen.
Currently, around 300 US Marines are stationed in Norway at the Vaernes military base.
That initial announcement drew a swift response from Moscow, with the Russian Embassy in Norway in June calling the move "clearly hostile" and likely to prompt an arms race that destabilizes Europe.
�This is an important part of the implementation of the Governments policy on increased allied training and exercises in Norway, as well as being consistent with the US-Norway bilateral agreement on prepositioning and reinforcement of Norway approved by Parliament in 2006,� the Norwegian Defense Ministry's press release said.
Also in June, Russian Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized Norway's decision to allow the United States to deploy more troops on its territory, saying such moves undermine confidence between the two countries.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
SC orders end of encroachments in Karachi
Nazish Jahangir denies viral screenshots, calls them fake
Govt likely to hike electricity price once again
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
Malala expresses unwavering support for Gaza people
Selection committee dissolved over Pakistan women cricket team's poor performanc ..
Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz in police uniform at Chung police center
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
More Stories From World
-
Iron ore futures close higher
4 minutes ago -
Two runaway army horses in 'serious condition': UK minister
4 minutes ago -
Myanmar's health ministry issues heat advisory amid soaring temperature
14 minutes ago -
Russian oil production facility in Siberia catches fire
14 minutes ago -
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index closes 0.48 pct higher
14 minutes ago -
Kremlin says Ukraine access to ATACMS will not impact outcome of conflict
24 minutes ago
-
Scottish leader scraps coalition deal with Greens
24 minutes ago -
US announces sweeping cuts to power sector carbon emissions
1 hour ago -
US to give Micron $6.1 bn for American chip factories
1 hour ago -
Venice launches five-euro entry fee
2 hours ago -
New Godzilla x Kong film continues to lead Chinese box office
2 hours ago -
2024 Zhongguancun Forum opens in Beijing to focus on cutting-edge technologies
2 hours ago