German forces land in Norway for major NATO exercises

A Norwegian soldier stands guard as German military equipment is unloaded at Fredrikstad, Norway, September 7, 2018. REUTERS/Gwladys Fouche

FREDRIKSTAD, Norway (Reuters) - German troops and vehicles arrived in Norway on Friday for the largest exercise on NATO's northern flank since the Cold War - a sign that the alliance wants to sharpen its defences against Russia after years of cuts and far-flung combat missions.

Russia said last week that it plans to hold its biggest war games since the fall of the Soviet Union next month, together with the Chinese and Mongolian armies.