In the Arctic region, there are numerous operational military bases and installations, including radar sites and support infrastructure. The militarization of the Arctic began during World War II, decreased after the Cold War, but has been resurging over the past decade due to climate change impacts and Russian military activities in Europe.
Canada possesses a significant portion of Arctic territory but has a relatively limited military presence compared to other Arctic nations. Currently, there are eight active military sites in Canada’s Arctic, with the largest one located in Yellowknife. Other facilities are situated in Whitehorse, Iqaluit, Inuvik, and various communities. Alert, located on Ellesmere Island, stands as the northernmost military facility globally, typically housing around 55 personnel at any given time.
The Canadian Coast Guard maintains a presence in the Arctic, albeit with minimal coverage. The Coast Guard’s northern headquarters in Yellowknife employs only 100 full-time staff members across the vast Arctic region, which features 162,000 kilometers of coastline, representing 60% of Canada’s total coastline. Additionally, Canada operates 47 unmanned radar sites forming the North Warning System.
Greenland hosts three military bases, with the U.S. Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) being the largest. This base boasts the world’s northernmost deep-water port, frozen for nine months annually, and a year-round operational airfield. Greenland also houses smaller military facilities in Nuuk and along the southern coast operated by the Danish military.
In Alaska, the only Arctic region of the U.S., all ten domestic northern military installations are located. These installations include air bases accommodating F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, as well as bases supporting troops and operating interceptor missiles at Fort Greely to defend against potential missile threats.
Russia holds a dominant military presence in the Arctic, with an estimated 30 to 40 operational military facilities across its northern territories. While some facilities are dispersed along the vast Arctic coastline, the majority concentrate in the Kola Peninsula near the Barents Sea, bordering Norway and Finland. Russia’s Arctic forces in the Kola Peninsula comprise multiple air bases hosting fighter jets, surveillance, and transport aircraft, along with bases capable of accommodating troops. The Russian northern naval fleet, stationed in Kola, includes numerous surface ships, submarines, icebreakers, and other vessels.
Norway, sharing a land border with Russia and being a NATO member, maintains 15 military facilities in its Arctic region as a precautionary measure against potential Russian actions. These facilities include bases for troops, air force, and coast guard. Additionally, Norway has sovereignty over the Svalbard Islands but, under a 1920 treaty, these islands remain demilitarized.
