Norway readies 2026 total defence year with municipal drills and NATO submarine exercise

The Norwegian government has designated 2026 as a total defence year, aiming to strengthen the coordination of military and civilian resources. Municipalities across the country are required to conduct at least one war‑related exercise in the autumn, covering scenarios such as health preparedness, evacuation, and communication during crises.

At the same time, Norway is hosting NATO’s large‑scale anti‑submarine exercise Dynamic Mongoose 2026. The drill involves about 25,000 personnel and assets from more than a dozen allied nations, including Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. The exercise focuses on detecting, deterring and responding to submarine threats in the strategically important high‑north waters of the North Atlantic.

Both initiatives are presented as essential to ensure Norway’s readiness for security challenges, ranging from cyber attacks to potential armed conflict, and to demonstrate NATO’s collective maritime capabilities in the region.