Redefining Arctic operations for a changing world: Age-old wisdom meets cutting-edge equipment

It’s all in the detail - How uniting novel equipment solutions with a “back to basics” approach could revolutionise extreme cold operations in the face of emerging global threats

“The Legend Lives”

On 8 January 1940, Finnish troops defeated superior Soviet forces at the Battle of Suomussalmi, widely considered one of the most significant Finnish victories and a symbol of the Winter War. Armed with skis and sledges for optimum mobility, the Finns were able to execute a strategy which was flexible and at times unorthodox, resulting in a defeat of the Soviet troops who, despite being greater in number, were otherwise poorly equipped for the hostile conditions and below-freezing temperatures. Widely lauded as one of Finland’s finest hours, Finns today still reflect on the Winter War with the words: “Legenda el??”. “The legend lives.”

It’s more than 80 years since the Finnish victory at Suomussalmi, but winter warfare is an ever-present topic of the current geopolitical conversation. Speaking last month at the 10th edition of the Arctic Circle Assembly in Iceland, Admiral Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, stressed the importance of a coordinated Arctic approach: “The increased competition and militarisation in the Arctic region, especially by Russia and China, is concerning. The melting ice in the Arctic is creating new sea routes that would facilitate the movement of large vessels and shorten navigation times.? We cannot be na?ve and ignore the potentially nefarious intentions of some actors in the region. We must remain vigilant and prepare for the unexpected”

Preparing for operations in the Arctic is no small undertaking. Extreme Cold Weather (ECW) environments are characterised by severe cold, drastic seasonal changes in daylight and severe winds. Depending on the particular location, those who venture into these environments will also have to contend with a litany of other environmental hazards; deep snow, ice, glaciers with crevasses, avalanche risks and snowstorms, not forgetting the potential presence of adversarial forces. In this article, we delve into some expert wisdom gained from decades of arctic operations and highlight the case for a refreshed perspective on equipment selection.?

Empowered preparation - Unravelling the threat

Unlike most other operational environments, where potential risks are largely limited to the presence of an enemy, the threats posed by simply existing in an extremely cold environment are complex and multi-faceted. Environmental factors account for a huge proportion of the risks posed to personnel, who immediately contend with the prospect of cold weather injuries (CWI), hypothermia, avalanches, and mobility challenges.

Then there is the human threat, the mitigation of which is progressively intricate, especially in temperatures as low as -50. Adversarial threats in the extreme cold can be broken down into four elements: thermal signature detection, electronic signature detection, communications jamming, and direct threats.

The Success Blueprint

By contemplating the threats posed, we can ascertain that operational success in the extreme cold is reliant on four crucial skill sets: survivability, mobility, dispersion, and lethality. These are interdependent, with each serving as a building block for the next. Together they form the pathway to optimum operational capability.

Survivability serves as the cornerstone of Arctic readiness and necessitates intensive non-tactical training. It equips personnel with the skills to navigate the hostile ECW environment, minimise and mitigate risks like snow, ice, avalanches, and cold exposure, and attain a degree of personal self-sufficiency.

“Providing a unit with enough time to understand their environment is critical. To survive and operate effectively in the extreme cold, they must be schooled in geographical and weather-related risks, they need to know their equipment inside out, and they need a thorough understanding of cold-weather injuries and what to do in the event of an emergency.”

Ian McGILL , Brigantes ECW expert and former Royal Marine Mountain Leader

Mobility is pivotal to Arctic operations and is a non-negotiable for combat effectiveness in cold weather conditions. Units must be capable of moving swiftly and safely, whether on foot by air, or in specialised vehicles.

“The ability for Units or formations to manoeuvre quickly, safely and rapidly either on foot or in specialist vehicles will underpin cold weather combat effectiveness.”

Ian McGill, Brigantes ECW expert and former Royal Marine Mountain Leader

Dispersion has long been evidenced as a critical strategy in Arctic warfare. Drawing on historical success stories, such as the Finns' victory in 1940, dispersion becomes even more necessary in today's digitised world as a strategy for thermal and electronic concealment.

“For units that require vehicles to move heavy equipment or weapons, there has traditionally been the temptation to operate from the vehicle, even sleeping in close proximity to it for convenience. In a world of pervasive electronic and thermal detection systems, this has to change. Dispersion in this sense also means finding ways to move the operators and their equipment some distance from the vehicle to a place where it can be more easily concealed.”

Colonel (Retd) Kevin Oliver , former Royal Marine Mountain Leader?

Lethality, the final piece of the puzzle, largely depends on the accomplishment of the first three principles. When a unit can 1) survive, 2) manoeuvre effectively, and 3) evade detection, they can begin to assume their tactical roles.

Facilitating success - Putting principles into practice

Conversations with ECW experts indicate that the above components of success ultimately boil down to the effective execution of a few key principles; Adequate environmental immersion, carefully considered high-performance equipment, a solid demonstration of “good soldiering” and a commitment to a practice of meticulous maintenance.?

All of this is to say that in this most imposing and hostile of operational environments, it is very often the little things, the seemingly inconsequential details and practices, which can make the biggest difference. From minor apparel upgrades and frequent equipment checks to a keen adherence to the foundational teachings of basic training, these small practices (or lack thereof) can be the catalyst for significant outcomes when operating in ECW environments. For better or worse.

“The care of equipment and other seemingly routine checks might seem not very important when navigating through complex terrain in Arctic conditions, but it is these very things which can make a huge difference between failure and success. If your pulk or ski breaks due to lack of care and you’re 50km from a road - you are potentially placed in an emergency situation in an instant.”

Ian McGill, Brigantes ECW expert and former Royal Marine Mountain Leader

Is the modern military taking full advantage of the equipment solutions at its disposal??

We’ve emphasised the crucial value of age-old wisdom and a back-to-basics approach, but there’s a case to be made for uniting this with a fresh perspective on equipment selection to enhance military capabilities even further.?

Equipment technology is ever-evolving, and a bespoke, holistic approach encompassing the latest solutions can drastically improve ECW operability. At Brigantes, we consider each customer’s requirements to deliver solutions tailored to their unique operational needs. Drawing upon advanced technical expertise and a wealth of experience in ECW military operations, we’re positioned to advise on the intricacies of equipment selection. From the importance of an integrated system encompassing compatible apparel, boots, snow shoes and skis, to the latest in cutting-edge ISR technology and signature management equipment.

By adopting our equipment solutions, a unit could significantly streamline the amount of kit they are carrying into Arctic environments, an adjustment which not only improves weight burden but reduces calorific need and grants personnel an increased level of mobility.

To provide an example, let’s examine a situation where we might advocate a slightly unorthodox approach. Take the Outdoor Research Pro Allies Colossus Parker and Pants for instance, which offer exceptional warmth without sacrificing agility. Pair these with a modern, thermal sleeping pad and thermal tarp and you have a modular sleeping system that equips the user with sufficient insulation, negating the need for more conventional, cumbersome sleeping equipment. The ideal solution for shorter operations where speed and agility take precedence. As history reminds us, it is often the unorthodox approach that yields the most exceptional outcome.

But it’s all about balance, right? The union of novel modern-day equipment solutions with the timeless and dependable, “old-school” soldiering approach. Indeed, the adoption of modern, functionally superior equipment is not without its caveats. Whilst the latest synthetic insulative solutions can provide an enhanced level of lightweight warmth to the wearer, maybe even at a lower cost than their organic counterparts, they demand a higher level of care - it is here that the importance of diligent administration comes into play.

This compromise is perhaps best illustrated by drawing a comparison between two products in particular. If we take, for example, the Thermarest sleeping pad vs. a standard issued closed cell foam sleeping mat. Both are similar in weight, but the Thermarest option provides superior insulative protection and consequently better sleep and restorative properties - a vital resource in the extreme cold. The trade-off here is that the Thermarest will require more careful maintenance than the sturdier, standard-issue mat. But look after it, and it’ll serve you well.

So the adoption of novel equipment solutions must run parallel to a keen attention to detail, good fieldcraft and meticulous equipment maintenance. Sounds like a lot of work? We reckon it’s worth it. The union of these two approaches could elevate military performance on the ECW stage and unlock new frontiers in Arctic operability.

Old principles + New equipment =? The best of both worlds?

No matter what the technical advancement, operational success has and always will be about the individuals carrying out the mission. No new and novel equipment will undo the value of a high level of personal “skills and drills”. This being said, there is a great advantage to be unlocked through harnessing the latest advancements in on-the-soldier equipment. By utilising a back-to-basics approach, combined with all of the advantages offered by the latest cutting-edge equipment, NATO forces could stand to unlock enhanced success in the ECW realm.?

It's a reality confirmed by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhny commenting in The Economist last week: “The simple fact is that we see everything the enemy is doing and they see everything we are doing. To break this deadlock we need something new… This time, the decisive factor will be not a single new invention but will come from?combining all the technical solutions that already exist.”

Any seasoned military personnel will have heard the phrase “If you can operate in the extreme cold, you can operate anywhere”. Now more than ever, it is time to demonstrate this. By deploying an intelligent combination of age-old wisdom, lessons learnt and innovative equipment solutions, we can position ourselves one step ahead.?

Speak to us about your equipment needs?

We’re looking to work with customers across the whole spectrum of ECW procurement and operations, from initial supply to storage, equipment maintenance and comprehensive training. If you would like to learn more about this offering and discuss your equipment requirements with one of our experts, please get in touch.

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