Nordmela, 13 March 2026: Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to the Norwegian island of Andøya, around 300 km north of the Arctic Circle. On the agenda for the day were two meetings with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
At the beginning of his visit, Merz emphasised the importance of the strategic partnership with NATO member Norway. According to the Chancellor, the cooperation works “extremely well” and has “potential for the future”.
The first destination was the Andøya spaceport, which serves as a launch site for rockets and research balloons. Merz was accompanied by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space.
The “Spectrum” orbital rocket from the German start-up Isar Aerospace is due to be tested here in a few days’ time.
The 30-metre rocket is scheduled to be launched into orbit from Andøya with five satellites on 19 March. “It is precisely this European sovereignty that we also need in space travel,” said Merz.
After a brief exchange with the pilot, the Chancellor travelled further east to Bardufoss, one of the most important military sites in northern Europe.
Together with Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, Merz and Støre visited NATO’s COLD RESPONSE exercise. The geographical location north of the Arctic Circle creates a suitable environment for military operations under Arctic conditions.
Around 25,000 soldiers from 14 NATO countries are taking part in the exercise, with the Federal Armed Forces sending around 1,600 personnel.
Here on the ground, Merz saw for himself how the Federal Armed Forces perform their role professionally, resolutely defending Germany on NATO’s northern flank.