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