Thousands of British troops sent to Arctic in preparation for war with Vladimir Putin

Defence Secretary John Healey, during a visit to the camp, said he will also commit UK forces to Nato's Arctic Sentry mission, an initiative to counter Russian threats while reassuring Donald Trump of Greenland's security.

He will join Nato counterparts at the alliance's HQ on Thursday in Brussels to discuss the proposal.

Mr Healey said: "Demands on defence are rising, and Russia poses the greatest threat to Arctic and High North security that we have seen since the Cold War. We see Putin rapidly re-establishing military presence in the region, including reopening old Cold War bases.

"The UK is stepping up to protect the Arctic and High North – doubling the number of troops we have in Norway and scaling up joint exercises with Nato allies.

"Cold Response and Lion Protector will this year see thousands of troops deploy across the Arctic and North Atlantic – with the UK leading the way. We train together, we deter together, and if necessary, we will fight together."

Nato exercise Cold Response will take place in March.

The military exercise across Norway, Finland, and Sweden will "enhance allied ability to defend strategically important locations across fjords and mountains," according to a statement from the Ministry of Defence.

In September, the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force will run Exercise Lion Protector.

The exercise unites air, land and naval forces from JEF nations and will send hundreds of troops across Iceland, the Danish Straits, and Norway, to boost defence in the Arctic, High North, and North Atlantic.

These pledges to boost defence in the Arctic region came as the former head of the armed forces, General Sir Nick Carter, called for greater European cooperation to deter Russia and support Ukraine.

Sir Nick said Europe could no longer rely on the US "by default" - and called for an increase in defence spending.

In a paper written for the Tony Blair Institute ahead of this year's Munich Security Conference, he outlined a five-point plan which called for sustained funding for Ukraine, a response to Russian sabotage operations, a change in European mindset to make the continent less reliant on the US, and a new social contract to build public trust in the military overhaul.

Sir Nick said: "Europe faces a growing external threat in an evolving world order at the same time as its political, fiscal and industrial systems are struggling to respond. After decades of under-investment in defence, this is no longer merely inefficient – it is dangerous.

"The path ahead for Europe’s leaders will not be easy; they cannot afford to fail. Drift is no longer a neutral option.

"Europe’s influence will depend on its ability to take rapid collective action. A Europe that can do so – and take responsibility for its own defence and security – will remain a shaper of the international order. A Europe that cannot, will be shaped by others."

The Government, in turn, has committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending, representing 2.6 per cent of GDP from 2027.

But former Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace delivered a scathing assessment of military funding just this week.

In a reply to Defence Minister Luke Pollard on social media, he said: "There isn't any real defence spending increases other than Treasury tucking under, unfunded bills for Chagos, pay and National Insurance consequences.

"You know it, I know it and the Russians know it. Stop spinning and treating the public like fools."