This paper will discuss and analyse the strategic significance of the whole array of major military activities occurring in or planned for Arctic regions, both present and forecast for the next ten or fifteen years. These involve three components of the strategic nuclear threat to the US, and the related defences and countermeasures, together with conventional threats to NATO's SLOC, North Norway and Iceland, and the countervailing maritime strategy they have called forth.

Cover title. "Summer 1989." Adelphi Paper 241.

Introduction--II. Ballistic missile defence and the Arctic--III. Strategic defence and the air-breathing threat--IV. The SSBN threat--V. Arctic oceanography and ASW operations--VI. Conventional maritime operations and NATO sea lines of communication--VII. Defence of northern Norway--VIII. Forward maritime strategy options--IX. Arms control and confidence building--X. Conclusion and recommendations.