Multinational maritime manoeuvre Mjølner 2026 in northern Norway

On 1 May 2026, the ships involved in the Mjølner 2026 exercise arrived in Harstad, Norway, for the first time. Their arrival marks the start of the visible preparatory phase of a multinational maritime exercise under German leadership.

Almost 2,500 soldiers from Norway, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Germany are taking part in the manoeuvre. Sweden and Lithuania are accompanying the exercise as observers. A total of eight ships from the participating nations and forces from the Norwegian armed forces are involved.

The German Navy is represented by the frigates "Sachsen-Anhalt" and "Hamburg", the task force provider "Bonn" and the corvettes "Braunschweig" and "Erfurt". The Norwegian frigate "Fridtjof Nansen" and the Danish frigates "Iver Huitfeldt" and "Absalon" are also taking part in the manoeuvre.

Mjølner 2026 will focus on training under realistic operational conditions. Training will take place over several days in continuous 24-hour operations at sea and on land. The aim is to consolidate procedures under time pressure and to further strengthen cooperation between the partners, all under high stress. The tactical firing plans are generally not publicised. This is due to the security policy framework. The northern flank is the strategically most important and largest area on the northern flank. Moelnar is more than just a major exercise: Mjølner symbolises NATO's steadfastness on the northern flank.

In the so-called CET/FIT phase (Combat Enhancement Training/Force Integration Training), the soldiers prepare for the coming week. The aim is not just to master individual skills, but to allow all forces to act in unison.

Text: Red / Photos: German Navy/Julia Kelm