On 1-3 June 2026, the NATO Military Committee, led by its Deputy Chair (DCMC), Lieutenant General Winston P. Brooks, visited Iceland, including the NATO Radar and Communication site in Bolungarvík.
Welcoming the Military Committee, Jónas G. Allansson, Chief of Defence of Iceland, emphasized "the growing importance of Allied cooperation in the North, deepening in response to our shared security challenges. Iceland remains committed to hosting and enabling Allied operations while contributing to NATO's situational awareness in the GIUK Gap. The visit of the Military Committee provides a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how Iceland actively supports our collective defence and strengthens Alliance cohesion."
"NATO is navigating a demanding and rapidly changing security environment," said DCMC during the visit, adding that "the Military Committee has seen how Iceland is stepping up its contribution to the Alliance's posture in the North Atlantic and Arctic, here at the heart of the GIUK Gap, as the eyes and the ears of NATO in the North. The visit has also given us a first-hand look at Icelandic companies at the forefront of dual-use innovation that plays a crucial role for the Alliance technological edge."
DCMC also praised Iceland's commitment in supporting NATO Air Surveillance mission and its importance in the High North. "The Control and Reporting Centre Keflavik has a crucial role to feed the recognized air picture into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence - IAMD - system. It ensures the integrity of our airspace against current air threats," said DCMC.
During the visit, NATO Military Representatives were briefed on Iceland's defence cooperation, the new Defence and Security Policy, and capability development. They also visited several Icelandic companies at the leading edge of technological innovation.
The visit to Iceland gave the Military Committee a clear view on the NATO Ally's capabilities, its strategic importance to the Alliance, and its efforts to ensure NATO's unity and strength. This visit is part of the Military Committee's ongoing assessment of work strands and progress in strengthening NATO's warfighting capabilities, in fields like missile defence, long-range strike capabilities, drones, ammunition, and stockpiles.
As a founding NATO member, Iceland has helped secure the Alliance for more than 75 years by providing host nation support to Allied operations, contributing to situational awareness and supporting NATO missions and operations through training, advice and assistance.
