The Arctic has become a focal point of geopolitical tension, rich in natural resources and strategic for global trade routes. For the U.S., maintaining an edge in the region is crucial, especially with Russia and China expanding their influence. While Greenland has long been a strategic interest, the U.S. has a potential plan B: the Olavsvern submarine base in Norway.
A submarine base of interest. The U.S. Navy is exploring the possibility of resuming operations at the Olavsvern complex, a Cold War-era Norwegian submarine base. Located near the Norwegian Sea and protected by 885 feet of rock, this facility once served as a critical port for Allied submarines.
Though decommissioned in 2009, the base retains significant strategic value, especially as Russian activity in the Arctic increases. Negotiations to lease the facility began in 2020, but no agreement has been reached.
Infrastructure and strategic potential. The Olavsvern complex spans approximately 270,000 square feet of underground facilities, featuring deep-water piers, a 0.6-mile access tunnel, fortified storage areas, and fully equipped maintenance spaces. Constructed at a cost of $450 million, with primary funding from NATO, the facility also includes barracks, a self-sustaining drinking water supply, and an independent power plant, making it a robust and strategically valuable asset.
The base was essential during the Cold War for submarine maintenance, repairs, and winter exercises. Its strategic location near the Barents Sea makes it ideal for monitoring Russian naval activity.
Russia’s Arctic expansion. Renewed interest in Olavsvern comes amid heightened Russian operations in the Arctic. Moscow has bolstered its military presence in the region and increased submarine activity through the Barents Sea and Greenland-Iceland-UK gap.
To counter this, NATO has been enhancing its regional presence. U.S. submarines, including the USS New Mexico and USS Florida, now frequent nearby Norwegian ports like Grøtsund, north of Tromsø, for Arctic operations.
Challenges and obstacles. Despite its strategic advantages, the revival of Olavsvern faces notable challenges. The most significant hurdle is that the base was sold to a private company, WilNor Governmental Services, in 2013. Currently, it is primarily used for annual training exercises by the Dutch Marine Corps, making it effectively unavailable for sale or other uses at this time.
However, WilNor has expressed interest in transforming Olavsvern into a logistics and operations center, indicating some openness to U.S. proposals. That said, any plans to accommodate U.S. nuclear submarines would require approval from Norway’s radiation safety authorities. This process is notoriously slow and lacks a definitive timeline, adding further uncertainty to the prospect.
Geopolitical significance. Local concerns over nuclear risks have stalled decisions by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, which has yet to provide clear indications regarding the expansion of the base’s military use.
However, mounting pressure from NATO and rising European defense expenditures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could potentially expedite these plans.
“Conquering” the Arctic. Reactivating Olavsvern would bolster NATO’s Arctic capabilities and allow the U.S. Navy to operate more effectively in the High North. However, growing tensions in the Arctic reflect broader global rivalries, positioning the region as a key battleground in the 21st-century balance of power.
While bureaucratic hurdles and local opposition remain obstacles, the strategic importance of the Arctic ensures that the U.S. will continue pursuing options to secure its influence—whether in Greenland, Norway, or beyond.
Image | The Arctic Institute
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