NATO warships face missiles and drone attacks during Arctic combat exercise

NATO naval forces have completed one of the most demanding maritime combat exercises in northern Norwegian waters. Danish frigates Iver Huitfeldt and Absalon conducted live missile engagements and countered simulated attacks involving aircraft, drones, submarines and fast surface threats under highly realistic operational conditions.

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28 may 2026   |   15:17   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Kamil Kusier   |   Print

fot. Lars Richter / Flyvevabnets Fototjeneste / Forsvaret

Real combat pressure in Arctic waters

The latest edition of Exercise Mjølner has concluded in northern Norwegian waters, bringing together naval forces from Denmark, Norway and Germany for one of the most demanding live maritime training events in the region.

The exercise focused on integrated air and missile defense, anti submarine warfare and multinational naval coordination under highly realistic operational conditions. Danish frigates Absalon and Iver Huitfeldt played a central role during the drills, facing complex scenarios involving simultaneous threats from aircraft, missiles, drones, fast attack craft and submarines.

Unlike conventional scripted exercises, Mjølner exposed participating crews to unpredictable tactical situations. Command teams had to identify threats, assign engagement responsibilities and coordinate weapons deployment in real time under significant operational pressure.

Northern waters move to the center of NATO planning

The High North and the Norwegian Sea continue to gain strategic importance for NATO. Increased Russian naval activity, combined with the growing relevance of Arctic sea lines of communication, has transformed the region into a critical operational theater.

For allied navies, maintaining a credible maritime presence in northern waters is no longer optional. Exercises such as Mjølner are now considered essential for validating readiness, strengthening deterrence and ensuring interoperability among allied surface combatants.

Harsh weather conditions, long operational distances and limited reaction times create an environment that closely resembles real wartime challenges.

Danish air defense frigates under scrutiny

Particular attention was directed toward the Danish frigate Iver Huitfeldt, one of NATO’s most capable area air defense platforms in Northern Europe. During the exercise, the frigate launched SM-2 surface to air missiles as part of live tactical engagements.

Both Danish ships also employed ESSM interceptors, reinforcing their layered defense capabilities against high speed aerial threats and anti ship missiles.

The exercise additionally included live fire operations involving 127 mm, 76 mm and 35 mm naval gun systems. These systems remain highly relevant in modern naval warfare, especially in counter drone and close range defense scenarios.

For Copenhagen, the exercise also carried strategic communication value. Following previous technical concerns linked to Red Sea deployments, Denmark is clearly emphasizing operational credibility and sustained combat readiness within NATO maritime forces.

Drone warfare reshapes naval doctrine

One of the defining features of Mjølner 2026 was the extensive integration of drone threats into the exercise architecture. Both aerial and maritime unmanned systems were used to stress command networks and defensive procedures.

Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine continue to influence NATO naval training priorities. Low cost unmanned platforms have demonstrated their ability to challenge advanced surface combatants, forcing navies to rethink layered defense concepts and reaction timelines.

As a result, allied fleets are accelerating investments in sensor fusion, rapid target allocation and integrated missile defense systems capable of handling saturation attacks.

Interoperability becomes the decisive factor

Modern naval combat increasingly depends on networked operations rather than isolated platform performance. Mjølner demonstrated how success in high intensity maritime warfare relies on the seamless integration of sensors, combat management systems and multinational command structures.

The exercise highlighted the importance of common procedures and shared tactical awareness among allied fleets operating in contested environments.

For NATO, the message from northern Norway was clear. Maritime security in the High North will depend on the alliance’s ability to operate as a unified combat force under realistic wartime conditions.

Mjølner 2026 confirmed that allied navies are actively preparing for a future battlespace defined by missile threats, autonomous systems and rapid escalation dynamics across the northern flank.

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NATO ćwiczenia morskie NATO fregata Iver Huitfeldt obrona przeciwlotnicza okrętów Arktyka bezpieczeństwo morskie

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