Royal Marines from 40 Commando have carried out a challenging night-time tactical insertion in freezing Arctic conditions as part of Exercise Tarassis in northern Norway — one of NATO’s largest multinational operations this year.
The mission involved deploying by inflatable raiding craft under the cover of darkness, testing the Marines’ ability to conduct stealth operations in extreme environments. With temperatures dropping to -10°C, the team endured a demanding two-hour transit through the Norwegian fjords before reaching their target location.
A tactical insertion is a high-precision military manoeuvre in which troops are rapidly deployed into potentially hostile or contested areas with minimal detection. The exercise provided an opportunity for the Royal Marines to demonstrate their specialist amphibious capabilities and resilience in harsh winter conditions.
Exercise Tarassis brings together forces from ten Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations, alongside Canadian troops, in what has been described as the coalition’s most ambitious live operation since its formation in 2014. Thousands of personnel from across the alliance, including troops, sailors, and aircrew, are taking part in coordinated drills spanning the North Atlantic, Scandinavia, and the Baltic Sea.
Running from early September to late October, the training series aims to strengthen joint readiness and improve the ability of member nations to respond rapidly to crises across multiple domains, land, sea, air, space, and cyber.
A key component of the programme, Exercise Arctic Tide, will test the UK and Norway’s ability to deploy and sustain forces across northern Europe, showcasing the Royal Marines’ role as an elite, cold-weather capable force.
The operation underscores the UK’s commitment to collective defence and Arctic security, demonstrating that British forces remain ready to operate alongside allies in some of the world’s toughest environments.
