On 21 October, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the French Embassy in Sweden co-hosted a roundtable discussion on the evolving security dynamics in the Arctic. Once considered insulated from geopolitical competition, the region has become increasingly central to global and transatlantic security concerns.
The event, titled ‘Naval Challenges in the Arctic: French and Swedish Perspectives’, examined how Russia and its growing military presence in the Arctic has affected the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European security, as well as the broader implications of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine for northern defence cooperation. The discussion also explored the links between the Baltic and North Atlantic theatres and considered how France, Sweden and NATO, as a whole, can respond to the emerging challenges in the region.
The roundtable featured Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of the French Navy, and Rear Admiral Johan Norlén, Chief of the Swedish Navy. Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Thierry Carlier, French Ambassador to Sweden, and Karim Haggag, SIPRI Director. The discussion was moderated by Dr Pierre Thévenin, Researcher in the SIPRI European Security Programme. The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule.