Russia Deploys New Surface to Air Missile Systems to Norwegian Borders Following Activation of F-35 Squadron

Russia’s armed forces have deployed new surface to air missile systems, the Tor-M2DT, to the country’s Norwegian borders. This follows deployment of the same kind of air defence system to Russia’s Arctic regions, and coincides with the Norwegian Air Force’s activation of its first F-35A stealth fighter squadron. Norway currently fields fifteen F-35As and has a further 37 on order, and the aircraft are optimised for evading and suppressing enemy air defences. The deployment of the aircraft was hailed in the United States as a major contributor to the Western Bloc’s collective security, and their deployment has been interpreted by a number of analysts as being aimed squarely at countering Russian power. While the Tor-M2DT is a relatively short ranged system and is not optimised for targeting aircraft, it can complement other air defence systems already deployed by defending them from standoff strikes by the F-35’s precision guided munitions. The Tor system was first developed in the Soviet Union specifically to counter American cruise missile strikes, and the M2DT represents one of the most modern variants of the platform. The system can also be equipped with munitions for engaging ground targets such as infantry and light armour.