Since the Cold War, the Royal Navy has conducted its largest Arctic defense drill. In temperatures as low as -30°C, some 3,000 sailors and Royal Marines were deployed alongside NATO allies.

A total of 27,000 people, battleships, armor, and air power from 27 European and North American countries took part in the exercise.

The exercise was well-planned and unrelated to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to NATO.

Norway is leading the exercise known as Operation Cold Response, which has taken place seven times since 2006, the most recent in 2016.

The goal is to assist allied forces become accustomed to operating in any area and under any conditions.

Exercises were scheduled for 2020 and 2021, but they were both cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The naval fleet was led by HMS Prince of Wales, the UK’s largest battleship, which also served as the NATO command ship. For the rest of the year, HMS Prince of Wales will serve as NATO’s command ship.

Operation Cold Response “demonstrated the UK’s resolve to safeguarding Europe’s northern flank against any aggressor,” according to the Royal Navy.

During the drill, Defense Secretary Ben Wallace paid a visit to soldiers participating on the land and aboard the ship to thank them for their efforts.

“I applaud all those personnel from all services who have accomplished so much in the Arctic in recent weeks,” he said.