Land Domain Combat Capability in the High North - Operational Environment, Requirements and Unit Capability Analysis

Authors:

  • John Welsh

Publish date: 2025-07-03

Report number: FOI-R--5738--SE

Pages: 82

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • Scandinavian High North
  • subarctic capability
  • cold-weather capability
  • empty battlefield
  • low-density battlefield

Abstract

This report presents the unique conditions and resultant military requirements associated with conducting conventional large-scale operations in the Scandinavian High North. By using three derived heuristiscs, a set of distinct military units from five Western states were then assessed in terms of their capability to effectively operate in that environment. The report is based on an open-source literature study which has collated material primarily regarding patterns of military exercises in the region from the last five years. The conclusions feature a list of Western military units that are assessed to have the capability to operate in the High North. These units are primarily Norwegian, Finnish and American.