The largest warship ever built, the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, arrived in Oslo on Wednesday with its escort for a stopover denounced by neighboring Russia. With a displacement of more than 100,000 tons, this first example of the next-generation nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier dropped anchor in the Oslo Fjord at noon before taking part in military exercises in a few days that, according to local media reports, should take it to the Arctic.
For its part, the Norwegian military said it saw the arrival of the US aircraft carrier battle group “a unique opportunity to develop cooperation and work more closely with our main ally, the United States.”
An “illogical” and “harmful” show of force
This high-profile scale, which comes amid tensions between the West and Russia over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, was criticized by the Russian embassy.
“Given the recognition in Oslo that Russia does not pose a direct military threat to Norway, such shows of force seem illogical and damaging,” he added.
Norway, a NATO member and a major energy producer, and Russia share a 198 km land border in the far north, as well as a long border in the Barents Sea. This is the first visit by a US aircraft carrier to the Scandinavian country in 65 years.
With a length of more than 335 meters and being able to transport up to 90 planes and helicopters, the giant will have to make a stopover in the Norwegian capital for a few days. A large air and sea interdiction zone has been established around the ship. According to the Barents Observer online newspaper, then she should head for the Arctic Circle. On May 29, the Arctic Challenge Exercise will begin in the region, air maneuvers that will bring together some 150 aircraft from 14 Western countries.
Source: BFM TV
