British troops train in Norwegian snow – as they prepare for war in the Arctic

BRITISH troops work up a sweat in the Norwegian snow as they prepare for war in the Arctic.

Troops in the cold of the Royal Marines Weather The Aviation Operators Course is trained to survive and operate in frigid environments, with temperatures in Norway regularly dropping below -20C.

Royal Marines were among those who endured a brutal week of training, during which they learned to escape after falling into a frozen lake or river.Credit: UK MOD Crown copyright

Preparing for combat with helicopter training in the harsh Norwegian snowCredit: Royal Navy

Ministers believe that if NATO goes to war with Russia, Britain will play the leading role fighting in Arctic conditions, which are the toughest in the worldCredit: UK MOD Crown copyright

The course offers commandos a brutal week-long training package consisting of two days of classroom and practical demonstration lessons, followed by five nights of field training.

Troops armed with the armed forces' best and latest equipment, including upgraded night vision goggles and coveralls, practice hiding from heat. drones during training at the Arctic base.

They learn to navigate the icy landscape and build and defend port areas before being put to the ultimate test on their final night of training.

The final challenge is a survival night where comrades are given minimal equipment and must survive by building snow or shelters of brushwood and wading through an icy lake.

REAM MORE SOLID DEFENDER

Speaking to The Sun last month, Armed Forces Secretary James Heappey explained that if NATO went to war with Russia, Britain's main role would be fighting in Arctic conditionswhich are the heaviest in the world.

The elite force will spearhead Britain's role in the biggest NATO war games since the end of the Cold War.

About 90,000 troops are needed Participate in Exercise Steadfast Defender to practice NATO's response to a Russian invasion.

British troops have set out to hold off an invasion of Russia through exercises to simulate World War III