The U.S. Navy has expressed interest in reactivating the Norwegian subterranean naval base Olavsvern, a strategic facility built during the Cold War and located between the Norwegian and Barents Seas.
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Constructed in Ramfjorden, 20 kilometers south of Tromsø, the base was designed to protect submarines and fast patrol boats beneath a 270-meter-thick gabbro rock roof. The complex includes a 340-meter dock for submarines, dry docks, ammunition storage, workshops, and command areas. Following the Cold War, the base was decommissioned and sold to private investors in 2013.
Current Status of the Base
Since 2020, the base has been partially operated by WilNor Governmental Services (WGS), a company specializing in military logistics. Currently, the facility is primarily used for the annual winter exercises of the Dutch Marines. Despite this, the base has never been fully reactivated, and the last U.S. submarine visited the site in 2009.
U.S. Plans for Olavsvern
An unnamed U.S. Navy official revealed to the website TWZ that the United States intends to resume operations at the base. However, the full restoration of the facility and the necessary upgrades to accommodate modern nuclear submarines remain uncertain.
Modern nuclear submarines are too large to navigate the base’s tunnels, but the external docking berths are suitable for their use. The base is also equipped with infrastructure to house personnel, store supplies, and maintain vessels.
Russian Threat and Strategic Interest
The increased U.S. interest in this base is linked to rising Russian military activity in the Arctic. Russia has been conducting exercises in the Barents Sea with submarines equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles, escalating tensions in the region. In response, Norway and NATO have signaled their intent to protect Norwegian territory and its extensive maritime zones.
Ambitious Future Plans
WilNor plans to restore Olavsvern as a logistical hub and submarine base, reviving its strategic significance from the Cold War era. However, the Norwegian government has not yet granted the necessary official authorization for full operations.
Uncertain Future
The fate of Olavsvern remains uncertain, but the growing military tensions in the High North may accelerate efforts to reactivate the base. The possibility of the base once again serving as a submarine facility is becoming increasingly likely.
Source: WilNor Governmental Services, TWZ, Wikimedia, mil.in.ua. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.