Arctic power play: NATO's modern edge against aging rivals

By Global Watch | 2025-08-13

As the Arctic emerges as a critical theater of geopolitical competition, NATO's technological and operational advancements continue to outpace those of Russia and China.

Among these advancements, the US Navy's Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) aircraft and multinational air defense exercises stand out as symbols of NATO's readiness, innovation and unity.

Together, they demonstrate the alliance's ability to defend its northern flank, project power across the Atlantic and Pacific and maintain a technological edge over its rivals.

The TACAMO mission provides the president, secretary of defense and US Strategic Command with airborne Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) for naval ballistic missile forces.

The current platform for the mission, E-6B Mercury, is a communications relay and strategic airborne command post aircraft that has been in service for more than three decades. It is set to be replaced by the E-130J Phoenix II.

TACAMO aircraft are designed to ensure secure communication with submerged submarines via very low frequency (VLF) radio transmissions, which also enables them to transmit signals across vast distances and allow NATO to maintain a robust command-and-control network that spans the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

A showcase of allied unity

NATO's focus on innovation and interoperability also ensures that its forces remain ready and capable.

The bi-annual Global Guardian exercise further highlighted NATO's operational readiness and unity. During the latest iteration in March 2025, high-alert fighter aircraft from five Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) nations -- the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland -- scrambled to intercept simulated hostile air patrols.

The exercise also featured two US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers, which were escorted during a routine flight between the United Kingdom and the United States.

NATO exercises demonstrated the seamless coordination between NATO allies and partners.

Ground-based air defense networks in the United Kingdom and Iceland tracked the bomber force along its flightpath, while NATO's Combined Air Operations Centre in Uedem, Germany, ensured smooth integration of allied forces.

When the bombers left European airspace, they were intercepted and tracked by US and Canadian forces, showcasing the transatlantic reach of NATO's defense capabilities.

A modern NATO vs. aging rivals

While NATO continues to innovate, Russia and China face significant challenges in keeping pace.

China's Arctic ambitions remain embryonic, with limited infrastructure and operational reach. Russia, despite its Arctic investments, struggles to maintain its aging platforms and submarine fleet.

Russia's nuclear threat, once a cornerstone of its global influence, is increasingly hollow.

Years of underinvestment, corruption and mismanagement have left its defense infrastructure in disarray. Its submarine fleet, though large, struggles with maintenance and modernization, while its Arctic ambitions are undermined by aging platforms and limited resources.

In contrast, NATO's integration of TACAMO highlight the alliance's ability to adapt to emerging threats. By combining advanced technology with coordinated operations, NATO ensures that its forces remain ready to defend its northern flank and project power globally.

As the Arctic becomes a focal point of global competition, NATO's technological advancements and operational readiness provide a critical edge. For Europe, these capabilities are a testament to NATO's enduring strength and its ability to outpace rivals in an era of rapid change.

As Russia and China grapple with the limitations of their defense programs, NATO's focus on mobility, interoperability, and technological superiority ensures that it remains the dominant force in the Arctic and beyond.