NATO is looking into the possibility of re-opening a fuel depot in Iceland, according to the sources of the local newspaper Morgunblaðið. The depot would contain as much as 40 million liters of oil for aircraft carriers in the North Atlantic, and JP8 jet fuel for fighter jets on these aircraft carriers. Large NATO military exercises will take place in Icelandic waters and in Iceland later this month.
According to Morgunblaðið NATO is looking at storing oil in Helguvík on Reykjanes peninsula and Hvalfjörður fjord, as well as Reykjavík and Akureyri. The US Navy operated a large fuel depot in Hvalfjörður during the Cold War. The US Naval Base in Keflavík was closed in 2006, and NATO has not operated any fuel depots in Iceland for more than a decade.
The re-opening of a fuel depot is yet another sign of growing interest in the strategic importance of Iceland.
Read more: US Navy set to return to its former base at Keflavík International Airport
On October 25 the military exercises Trident Juncture will begin in Norway. 40,000 soldiers from 30 different countries, 120 aircraft and 70 vessels will participate in the exercises. Part of the exercises will take place in Iceland, bringing 10 military vessels with 6,000 sailors to Iceland. Exercises will take place both on sea and land, including Þjórsárdalur valley in South Iceland. 400 Marines will participate in the exercises in Þjórsárdalur.
NATO is looking into the possibility of re-opening a fuel depot in Iceland, according to the sources of the local newspaper Morgunblaðið. The depot would contain as much as 40 million liters of oil for aircraft carriers in the North Atlantic, and JP8 jet fuel for fighter jets on these aircraft carriers. Large NATO military exercises will take place in Icelandic waters and in Iceland later this month.
According to Morgunblaðið NATO is looking at storing oil in Helguvík on Reykjanes peninsula and Hvalfjörður fjord, as well as Reykjavík and Akureyri. The US Navy operated a large fuel depot in Hvalfjörður during the Cold War. The US Naval Base in Keflavík was closed in 2006, and NATO has not operated any fuel depots in Iceland for more than a decade.
The re-opening of a fuel depot is yet another sign of growing interest in the strategic importance of Iceland.
Read more: US Navy set to return to its former base at Keflavík International Airport
On October 25 the military exercises Trident Juncture will begin in Norway. 40,000 soldiers from 30 different countries, 120 aircraft and 70 vessels will participate in the exercises. Part of the exercises will take place in Iceland, bringing 10 military vessels with 6,000 sailors to Iceland. Exercises will take place both on sea and land, including Þjórsárdalur valley in South Iceland. 400 Marines will participate in the exercises in Þjórsárdalur.
