The United States wants to get the underground Norwegian naval base Olavsvern under its control.

This was reported by The War Zone.

The Olavsvern base is a unique military facility located between the Norwegian and Barents Seas, with much of its infrastructure located inside the cliffs.

After closing in 2009, the base was put up for rent, but in 2021 its operation was partially resumed in the interests of the Netherlands.

It is reported that, contrary to expectations, the base had not been fully operational. According to the publication, the most recent American submarine to visit the base was in 2009.

A U.S. Navy source, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the country intended to resume operation of the base.

However, how long it will take the US Navy to resume the base’s operation and what modernizations will be needed to service nuclear submarines remains unknown.

Due to their size, modern American nuclear submarines cannot enter the base’s tunnels, but the outer berths are fully suitable for their use.

It remains to be seen how the US Navy plans to operate the base. However, it is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure to accommodate personnel, warehouses, and ship maintenance facilities.

The US Navy’s growing interest in this facility is due to Russia’s increased activity in the Arctic.

TWZ reports that the officials of the US 6th Fleet continue to work with Oslo to explore the possibility of using the base in their interests.

Currently, Olavsvern is owned by the military logistics company WilNor Governmental Services and is mostly used for the annual winter exercises of the Dutch Marines.

WilNor has ambitious plans to restore the base’s status as an important logistics center and submarine basing site, as it was during the Cold War. However, the Norwegian government has not yet granted the appropriate authorization.

In 2023, representatives of the American government visited the city of Tromso, which is next door to the base, and American submarines docked at the nearby port of Grottsund.

The future of the Olavsvern base remains uncertain, but given the tense situation in the region, it is possible that it will once again become a submarine base.