The USS Gerald Ford, the largest warship shown so far, arrived in Oslo on Wednesday, a visit that was condemned by neighboring Russia.
The USS Gerald Ford, the largest warship shown so far, arrived in Oslo on Wednesday, a visit that was condemned by neighboring Russia.
“Gerald Ford”, the first version of the new generation of nuclear-propelled aircraft carriers, entered the Oslo Strait on Wednesday morning with its escort, days before its participation in military exercises.
This 335-meter-long aircraft carrier can accommodate 90 aircraft.
“The visit and the presence of the aircraft carrier group will provide … a unique opportunity to develop cooperation and work more closely with our key ally, the United States,” the Norwegian military said in a statement.
This visit comes at a time when relations between Norway, a member of NATO, and Russia, with which it shares borders in the far North Arctic, have deteriorated greatly, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which led to the objection of the Russian embassy in Oslo.
“There is no issue in the north that requires a military solution or issues that require external intervention,” Timur Chekanov, a spokesman for the Russian embassy in Oslo, said in an email to Agence France-Presse on Tuesday.
“As long as (the authorities) in Oslo report that Russia does not pose a direct military threat to Norway, such displays of force seem harmful and irrational,” he added.
Norway shares 198 km of land border with Russia in the far north as well as a long border in the Barents Sea.
A large no-fly and sea zone has been set up around this ship.
The electronic newspaper “Barents Observer” reported that the ship is supposed to then head to the Arctic Circle with the start of the “Arctic Challenge Exercise” exercises, which are air maneuvers that bring together about 150 aircraft from 14 countries, on May 29 in this region.
