UK Deploys Wildcat Helicopters for Arctic Warfare Training in Norway.

British Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters from 847 Naval Air Squadron are operating in Northern Norway as part of Operation Clockwork, the UK’s annual Arctic deployment. The training sharpens the Commando Helicopter Force’s ability to conduct combat operations and sustain them in one of NATO’s most strategically sensitive regions.

Wildcat helicopters assigned to British Royal Navy 847 Naval Air Squadron are conducting advanced mountain flying and Arctic warfare training in Northern Norway, according to information released by the UK Ministry of Defence in late January 2026. The deployment is part of Operation Clockwork, the Royal Navy’s long-running cold-weather program that places frontline aviation units into extreme Arctic conditions designed to mirror the operational demands of a potential High North conflict.
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Wildcat HMA2 helicopters of the British Royal Navy’s 847 Naval Air Squadron fly low through Norway’s mountainous terrain during Operation Clockwork, honing Arctic combat and mountain flying skills above the Arctic Circle. (Picture source: UK MoD)

The British Royal Navy 847 Naval Air Squadron is a core operational unit of the British Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, specializing in battlefield reconnaissance, light attack, and command and control in support of Royal Marines and joint forces. Operating the Wildcat HMA2 helicopter, the squadron provides a critical link between maritime power and land maneuver, particularly in austere environments where fixed-wing support is limited. During Operation Clockwork, 847 NAS is deployed to Royal Norwegian Air Force Base Bardufoss, a key NATO air hub that enables access to Norway’s fjords, valleys, and mountainous interior.

From Bardufoss, Royal Navy Wildcat crews are flying intensive sorties through narrow valleys, over snow-covered ridgelines, and along fjord systems where rapidly changing weather, severe icing, and strong downdrafts test both aircrew skills and aircraft resilience. Mountain flying in Arctic conditions demands precise power management and constant situational awareness, mainly when operating at low altitude in confined terrain. British Royal Navy instructors describe the environment as unforgiving, where navigation errors or mechanical issues can escalate quickly due to the remoteness and harsh climate.

The Wildcat HMA2 is central to this training, bringing a combat capability set well-suited to Arctic and littoral warfare. Powered by twin LHTEC CTS800 engines, the helicopter delivers strong performance in cold and high-altitude conditions, with rapid acceleration and agility essential for terrain-hugging flight. Its advanced avionics suite includes a fully integrated glass cockpit, secure communications, and a sophisticated mission system that fuses sensor data to support reconnaissance and targeting in complex environments.

In combat roles, the Royal Navy Wildcat can be armed with Martlet lightweight multirole missiles, providing precision-strike capability against fast-attack craft, light armored vehicles, and fortified positions. The helicopter is also equipped with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun or 7.62 mm door-mounted weapons for the close support of Royal Marines. Its electro-optical and infrared sensor turret enables day and night target acquisition, surveillance, and overwatch, capabilities that are being heavily exercised during Operation Clockwork in snow-covered terrain where contrast and visibility are degraded.

Alongside the Wildcats, Commando Merlin Mk4 helicopters of the British Royal Navy are conducting parallel training, allowing Commando Helicopter Force to rehearse integrated air assault and support operations. This combination reflects how the force would deploy in real combat scenarios, with Wildcats from 847 Naval Air Squadron providing reconnaissance, escort, and tactical coordination while Merlins deliver troops, vehicles, and supplies. Engineers supporting both aircraft types are gaining vital experience maintaining frontline helicopters in prolonged sub-zero conditions, where cold-soaked components, hydraulics, and avionics place unique demands on maintenance crews.

A defining element of Operation Clockwork is cold-weather survival training, which precedes the most demanding flying phases. British Royal Navy personnel are trained to live and move independently in the Arctic wilderness, learning ski mobility, shelter construction, navigation, and survival techniques essential for aircrew operating far from immediate rescue support. Royal Navy officials emphasize that these skills are inseparable from combat aviation in the High North, where the environment itself represents a significant operational threat.

The deployment also deepens interoperability between the British Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Air Force, whose long-standing Arctic experience provides valuable insight into cold-weather aviation and dispersed operations. Operating from Bardufoss allows Royal Navy crews to integrate Norwegian procedures for snow and ice operations, emergency response, and rapid adaptation to weather changes, all of which are critical for NATO’s northern defense posture.

Operation Clockwork serves as a key preparatory phase for Exercise Cold Response 2026, expected to be the largest military exercise ever conducted in Norway and a major demonstration of NATO unity and deterrence in the High North. For the British Royal Navy, and particularly for 847 Naval Air Squadron, the Arctic deployment ensures that Wildcat aircrews, engineers, and commanders are fully prepared to deliver reconnaissance, firepower, and command support in one of the world’s most challenging combat environments.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.