ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) needs a comprehensive approach for its most important maritime domain: it must strengthen its command and control structure, invest in high-end capabilities, update its contingency plans and change its exercise policy in accordance with the new security reality. For a small state such as Norway, a credible and effective NATO forms the basis for safeguarding its national security and constitutes the foundation for contacts and cooperation with Russia. NATO's defence and deterrence posture in the Atlantic Ocean is essential for the credibility of transatlantic security cooperation. The Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO), which encompasses joint or coordinated contributions to international operations, has served as a platform for improved military cooperation between Sweden and Finland and members of NATO. The present demanding global security environment features many competing requirements, forcing NATO and its member states to find cost-effective and flexible solutions.
