UK to Deploy Warships and Jets to Arctic in 2026

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that Britain will send a fleet of warships and fighter jets to the Arctic in 2026 to bolster security in the region.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Starmer said the operation will be carried out in close coordination with the United States, Canada, and other NATO allies amid rising tensions and increased military activity in the Arctic.

The Prime Minister described the deployment as part of the UK’s renewed role in European and transatlantic security. He also emphasised the importance of closer ties with the European Union in defence, technology, and economic cooperation to address shared security challenges.

The announcement comes as Western leaders gather at the Munich conference to discuss Russia’s actions, Arctic security, and the future of the transatlantic alliance. Several leaders stressed the importance of unity among European nations and allies in countering emerging threats.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen highlighted that Arctic security requires collective action and insisted that Greenland’s sovereignty must be respected. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that European unity remains the strongest defence against Russian aggression.

The planned Arctic deployment is set to be one of the UK’s most significant military commitments to the region in recent years.