Story perspectives

Russia condemns US Mk-41 missile launchers in Norway

9/7/2026

Summary

Russia Condemns US Deployment

Russia condemns the United States' deployment of a Mk-41-based missile system to Norway.
The Mk-41 launchers can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles and other missiles.
Russia says missiles from Norway could reach much of European Russia including Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned the sites and command-and-control centres will become targets in a conflict.

Summary

US Airforce Deploys

US Air Force C-17 delivered a containerized missile launcher to Trondheim on Aug 27 2026.
Operation Atlantic City 26 included the United States, United Kingdom and Norway from Aug 26 to Sep 4 2026.
The exercise tested the launcher's air-transportability and integration into a joint NATO targeting network.
NATO’s Arctic Sentry umbrella framed drills around Jan Mayen island in the High North.
The containerized system carries Tomahawk missiles with 1,600-2,500 km range and a 450-kg warhead.

History

Historical Context

NATO adopted the Double-Track Decision on 12 December 1979 after the Soviet SS-20 deployment, pledging 108 Pershing II launchers for Western Europe. The United States deployed the first Pershing II in West Germany in November 1983, finishing the rollout by 1985. In August 2026 the U.S. delivered a containerized Mk-41 launcher to Trondheim, integrating Tomahawk missiles into NATO’s Arctic Sentry and reviving the Cold-War practice of forward-positioned strike assets.

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Russia Condemns US Deployment

Russia condemns the United States' deployment of a Mk-41-based missile system to Norway.
The Mk-41 launchers can fire Tomahawk cruise missiles and other missiles.
Russia says missiles from Norway could reach much of European Russia including Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned the sites and command-and-control centres will become targets in a conflict.

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