Up to 700 U.S. Marines may train in Norway

Norway said on Wednesday that up to 700 troops of the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) may train and exercise in the Nordic country.

"I am pleased to announce that U.S. and Norwegian authorities recently agreed to extend and increase the rotational training and exercises in Norway for units from the USMC," Norway's Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen was quoted as saying in a statement.

"As a result, the arrangement will continue beyond 2018 and may include up to 700 U.S. Marines," he said.

Currently around 330 U.S. Marines are training at the Vaernes military base in central Norway. The current plan was introduced in 2017 and is to be continued until the end of 2018.

"In addition to today's activity at Vaernes, a second location at Setermoen (in northern Norway) will be added," Bakke-Jensen said. "We may see additional U.S. Marines at Setermoen already during the fall of this year."

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence said in June that Norway supports the idea that 700 U.S. Marines could practice and train in the Nordic country for five years and the activity could be expanded.

The scheme, which would include up to 700 U.S. Marines from 2019, would be evaluated by the end of 2022, the ministry said at that time.