Military of Iceland
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{| border="1" align="right" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300" style="margin-left:7px"
|colspan="2"|<center>[[Image:Coat of Arms of Iceland.svg|200px]]</center>
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|colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"|<center> '''Military of Iceland''' </center>
|-
|colspan="2"|<center>'''Military branches:''' (''no regular military forces'')</center>
|-
|Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical affairs:
|<br>[[Image:Logreglustjarna.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic National Police]] '''[[Icelandic Police|Icelandic National Police]]''', <br>[[Image:LHG skjöldur opinber 2005.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard]] '''[[Icelandic Coast Guard]]'''
|-
|Defence Department:
|<br>[[Image:ICRU.png|20px]] '''[[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit]]''' <br>[[Image:Coat of Arms of Iceland.svg|20px]] '''[[Iceland Air Defence System]]'''
|-
!colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| Military manpower:
|-
|[[Image:LHG skjöldur opinber 2005.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard]] Coast Guard:
| 160
|-
|[[Image:Logreglustjarna.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic National Police]] Police:
| 700
|-
|[[Image:Logreglustjarna.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic National Police]] Special Operations Unit of the National Commissioner:
| 52-56 (2007)
|-
|[[Image:Coat of Arms of Iceland.svg|20px]] Radar Agency (IADS):
| 80
|-
|[[Image:ICRU.png|20px]] Crisis Response Unit:
| 100
|-
|[[Image:Coat of Arms of Iceland.svg|20px]] Reserves, Civil Defence and Rescue Units:
| 18,000+
|-
!colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| Military manpower - availability:
|-
|males age 15-49: <ref>[http://www.hagstofan.is/?PageID=622&src=/temp/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=MAN00101%26ti=Mannfj%F6ldi+eftir+kyni+og+aldri+1841%2D2008+++++%26path=../Database/mannfjoldi/Yfirlit/%26lang=3%26units=Fj%F6ldi Iceland Statistics]</ref>
| 80,274 (2008)
|-
|females age 15-49: <ref>[http://www.hagstofan.is/?PageID=622&src=/temp/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=MAN00101%26ti=Mannfj%F6ldi+eftir+kyni+og+aldri+1841%2D2008+++++%26path=../Database/mannfjoldi/Yfirlit/%26lang=3%26units=Fj%F6ldi Iceland Statistics]</ref>
| 74.399 (2008)
|-
!colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| Military manpower - fit for military service:
|-
|males age 15-49:
| 66,895 (2008 est.)
|-
|females age 15-49:
| 61,999 (2008 est.)
|-
!colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| Military Defence expenditures:
|-
|[[Image:Coat of Arms of Iceland.svg|20px]] Official Defence Department Expenses (includes IADS):
| 26.6 million [[USD]] (2008)
|-
!colspan="2" style="color: white; height: 30px; background: navy;"| Other Military or related expenditures:
|-
|[[Image:LHG skjöldur opinber 2005.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic Coast Guard]] Coast Guard:
| 28.4 million [[USD]] (2007)
|-
|[[Image:ICRU.png|20px]] Crisis Response Unit:
| 10 million USD (2007)
|-
|[[Image:Coat of Arms of Iceland.svg|20px]] National Commissioner (incl. Special Forces)
| 19.4 million USD (2007)
|-
|[[Image:Logreglustjarna.jpg|20px|Coat of arms of the Icelandic National Police]] National Police (overall incl. National Commissioner):
| 110.2 million USD (2007)
|}
[[Image:Icelandic army.jpg|left|thumb|[[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit]] Team in [[Afghanistan]]]]
[[Image:Icelandic Army 1940-2.png|left|thumb|Officers of the [[Military of Iceland#Independent Iceland|defence force]] in a trench on Vaðlaheiði in 1940.]]
The Republic of [[Iceland]], a [[NATO]] member, maintains no [[standing army]]. It maintains however a well trained [[Coast Guard]], Police forces, [[Air Defence]] system as well as a voluntary expeditionary peacekeeping forces. Iceland has, in addition, a treaty with the [[United States]] for military defences, which maintained a military [[Naval Air Station Keflavik|base]] in Iceland until [[September]] [[2006]].
The Government of Iceland contributes financially to NATO's international overhead costs and recently has taken a more active role in NATO deliberations and planning. Iceland hosted the NATO Foreign Ministers' Meeting in [[Reykjavík]] in June [[1987]] and participates in biennial NATO exercises entitled "Northern Viking" in Iceland; the most recent exercises were held in [[2001]]. In [[1997]] Iceland hosted its first [[Partnership for Peace]] (PfP) exercise, "Cooperative Safeguard," which is the only multilateral PfP exercise so far in which Russia has participated. Another major PfP exercise was hosted in [[2000]].
Iceland has also contributed [[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit|ICRU]] peacekeepers to [[SFOR]], [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]] and [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]].
In April, [[2007]], it was announced that [[Norway]] and [[Denmark]] had signed memorandums of understanding with Iceland, regarding surveillance, rescue and military operations the North Atlantic. Norwegian special forces, naval and coast guard vessels and Norwegian fighter and reconnaissance planes will participate in visits, exercises and other defence activities in Iceland and in Icelandic airspace. <ref>[http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/Press-Contacts/News/2007/mou-2.html?id=464488 A press release from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.]</ref><ref>[http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/UD/Vedlegg/icelandmou.pdf An English translation of the Norwegian-Icelandic MoU at the website of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.]</ref> Danish naval vessel are also no longer required to report every crossing into Icelandic territorial waters. Icelandic Coast Guard will help Danish authorities in Greenland with rescue operations and take part in naval maneuvers with the Norwegian navy. <ref>[http://www.norwaypost.no/cgi-bin/norwaypost/imaker?id=72317 Norway Post: Norway and Iceland to sign defence agreement]</ref><ref>[http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1753031.ece Aftenposten: Norway to help defend Iceland]</ref><ref>[http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2007/04/26/120138.htm?rss=true Danmarks Radio]</ref> Iceland has additionally a treaty with Norway which stipulates that Icelandic citizens have the same eligibility as Norwegian citizens for military education in Norway and to serve as professional soldiers in the Norwegian Defence forces.<ref>[http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=131132 Norwegian Defence Forces: Alle gode ting er tre]</ref> Yearly military exercises are also slated to continue under Icelandic command. In the 2007 North Viking exercise both the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Special task force of the national commissioner participated with military detachments from America, Norway, Denmark, [[Latvia]] and NATO. <ref>[http://www.utanrikisraduneyti.is/frettaefni/frettatilkynningar/nr/3621 A press release from the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs.]</ref>
==History==
''see also: [[Icelandic Military History]]''
===The Settlement and the Civil War===
[[Image:HakonTheOldAndSon-Flateyjarbok.jpg|thumb|left|220px|An illustration of Hákon, King of Norway, and his son Magnus, from [[Flateyjarbók]]]]
In the period from the settlement of Iceland, in the 870s, until it became part of the realm of the Norwegian King, military defences of Iceland consisted of multiple chieftains (''Goðar'') and their free followers (''þingmenn'', ''bændur'' or ''liðsmenn'') organised as per standard Nordic military doctrine of the time in expeditionary armies such as the [[Leidang|''leiðangr'']]. The armies being divided into units by the quality the warriors and birth. At the end of this period the number of chieftains had diminished and their power had grown to the detriment of their followers. This resulted in a long and bloody civil war known as ''[[Sturlungaöld]].'' The average battle consisted of little less than 1000 men.
[[Amphibious warfare|Amphibious]] operations were important part of warfare in Iceland in this time, especially in the Westfjords, while large [[naval engagement]]s were not common. The largest of which was an engagement of a few dozen ships in [[Húnaflói]] known as [[Flóabardagi]].
===In Union with Norway===
Peace barely ensued as the Norwegian King had little capacity to enforce his will over the Atlantic Ocean, his navy, although the most powerful Atlantic navy at the time was too small to carry big enough invasion force all the way to Iceland. The native Nobles continued to maintain their elite troops, which were called ''sveinalið'' while the ''[[Sýslumaður|sýslumenn]]'' (sheriffs), most of which were noble descendants of the chieftains, maintained soldiers or ''sveinar'' for the defence duties that had been delegated to them by law. But all inhabitants of a ''sýslumaður''´s [[fief]] was obligated to follow them as well in battle against invaders.
As the church became more powerful its bishops and priests became more militant, at the peak of its power the two bishops could command armies consisting of over 6% of Iceland's total population.
===The coming of Lutheranism===
[[Image:Svenska hillebarder (1500-talet), Nordisk familjebok.png|left|thumb|The ''Atgeir'' ([[halberd]]). A signature weapon of Icelandic farmers since the late 16th century.]]
Since the king of Denmark had embraced [[Lutheranism]] in the early 16th century he had campaigned to convert his realms from [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholicism]] to Lutheranism. In the 1540s it was Iceland's turn and bitter feud ensued. Although the bloodshed didn't come close to the Civil War fought in the 13th century, the bishops fielded armies of thousands, and even fought at [[Alþingi]].
In a bid to isolate Skálholt, Iceland's last Catholic bishop [[Jón Arason]] of [[Hólar]] diocese attempted to cut its lines of communications to the [[Westfjords]] by invading the lands of [[Daði Guðmundsson í Snóksdal]]. Although initially successful in capturing ''[[Battle of Sauðafell|Sauðafell]]'' he was later defeated by Daði's army and captured with his sons.
Jón Arason and his sons were then transported to Skálholt and then beheaded.
Danish mercenary force mostly consisting of [[Landsknecht]]s arrives a year later to support the conversion.
Although no open warfare continued, the Danish king was still wary of an [[insurrection]] and ordered the destruction of all Icelandic arms and armor.
After that starts a period where Royal Danish forces are responsible for the defence of Iceland. The [[Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy]] patrols the coasts of Iceland, but mostly to prevent illegal trading rather than piracy. Some Icelandic sheriffs, however, manage to continue to maintain considerable retinues, especially in the [[Westfjords]], where the Landsknechts were not as thorough in their search.
This lack of weaponry among Icelanders made them more vulnerable to [[pirate]] attacks than before, although in some places, such as the aforementioned Westfjords, Icelanders managed to massacre foreign pirates. Icelandic officials complained about this in letters to the king and as a result many [[halberd]]s were sent to Iceland by Royal [[edict]]. The halberd, known as ''atgeir'' or ''arngeir'' in Icelandic, became a signature weapon of Icelandic farmers. The king remained wary of the Icelanders, and refused to supply them with firearms. As most of the pirates were well armed with such weapons it made defences difficult. However some old guns and cannons still remained and could be used against their ships.
In 1627 Icelanders were shocked at the inability of the Danish forces to protect them against raiders from [[Barbary]] who murdered and kidnapped a large number of people. In some places Danish troops fled from these Muslim raiders, but the Captain (''Höfuðsmaður'') of Iceland, who was the highest ranking military officer and overall governor of Iceland, managed to defend [[Bessastaðir]] by hastily building fortifications and damaged one of the raiding ships severely with cannon fire. Some Icelanders were nonetheless angered that he didn't sink the ship despite it being stuck for 24 hours on a reef in front of the fortifications. As a result Icelanders formed local [[militia]]s with the king's blessing in places such as [[Vestmannaeyjar]].
===18th and 19th centuries===
[[Image:Gunnfáni.png|thumb|[[Image:FIAV 001000.svg|23px]] Icelandic Army [[Colours, standards and guidons|Regimental Standard]] of the 19th century Army.]]
In the decades before the [[Napoleonic wars]], the king declared his intention to send considerable amount of money to arm the Icelandic militias with [[musket]]s. However, his pledges were not fully fulfilled and in 1799 the few hundred militia-men in the South West of Iceland were mostly equipped with rusty and mostly obsolete Medieval weaponry, including 16th century halberds. When English raiders arrived in [[1808]], after sinking or capturing most of the [[Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy|Danish-Norwegian Navy]] in the [[Battle of Copenhagen (1807)|Battle of Copenhagen]], the amount of [[gunpowder]] in Iceland was so low that it prohibited all efforts of the governor of Iceland, [[Count Trampe]], to provide any resistance.
In [[1855]], the Icelandic Army was reestablished by [[Andreas August von Kohl]] the sheriff in [[Vestmannaeyjar]]. In 1856, the king provided 180 [[Danish rigsdaler|rixdollar]]s to buy guns, and a further 200 rixdollars the following year. The sheriff became the Captain of the new army, which become known as ''Herfylkingin'', "The Battalion."
In [[1860]], von Kohl dies, and [[Pétur Bjarnasen]] takes over the command. Nine years later Pétur Bjarnasen died before appointing a successor, and the army falls into disarray.
===Independent Iceland===
[[Image:Icelandic Army 1940.png|thumb|left|Agnar Kofoed Hansen training his officers in the arts of war in 1940.]] In 1918 Iceland regained sovereignty as a separate Kingdom ruled by the Danish king. Iceland established a Coast Guard shortly after, but financial difficulties make establishing a standing army impossible. The government hoped that a permanent neutrality would shield the country from invasions. But at the onset of [[Second World War]], the government, becoming justifiably nervous, decided to expand the capabilities of the [[Icelandic Police|National Police]] (''Ríkislögreglan'') and its reserves into a military unit. Chief Commissioner of Police [[Agnar Kofoed Hansen]] had been trained in the Danish Army and he moved swiftly to train his officers. Weapons and uniforms were acquired and near [[Laugarvatn]] they practiced rifleshooting and military tactics. Agnar barely managed to train his 60 officers before the [[United Kingdom]] [[Invasion of Iceland|invaded Iceland]] on [[May 10]], [[1940]]. The next step in this army building move was to train the 300 strong reserve forces but the invasion effectively stopped it.
===Cold War===
Iceland's main contribution to the NATO defence effort, during the [[Cold War]] was the rent-free provision of the "agreed areas"—sites for military facilities. By far the largest and most important of these was the NATO [[Naval Air Station Keflavík]], manned by [[USA|American]], [[Canada|Canadian]], [[Denmark|Danish]], [[Norway|Norwegian]] and [[Netherlands|Dutch]] personnel. Units from these and other NATO countries also are deployed temporarily to [[Keflavík]], and they stage practice operations. Many of these practices were anti-submarine warfare patrols, but these exercises were halted when the [[P-3 Orion|P-3]] [[ASW]] aircraft were withdrawn from Keflavík.
Iceland and the United States regarded the U.S. military presence since [[World War II]] as a cornerstone to bilateral foreign/security policy. The presence of the troops was negotiated under a treaty known as the [[Agreed Minute]]. Talks about the American presence were restarted as of [[2005]], since the U.S. government was keen on deploying its troops and equipment to parts of the world with more pressing need for them. Proposals by the Icelandic government included a complete Icelandic takeover of the Airbase, as well as replacing the Pavehawk rescue helicopter unit with a detachment from the aeronautical half of the [[Icelandic Coast Guard]], in exchange for the continued stationing of the four [[F-15]]C interceptors in Keflavík. On [[March 15]] [[2006]] the U.S. government announced that the [[Iceland Defense Force]] would be withdrawn by the end of September [[2006]]. The last American troops left on [[September 30]], handing control of the Keflavík base over to the [[Sýslumaður|Sheriff]] of Keflavík airport, who was to be in charge of it on behalf of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
===Current Affairs===
On [[September 26]] 2006 the Government of Iceland released a document pertaining Icelandic responses to the withdrawal[http://forsaetisraduneyti.is/media/frettir/Nyverkefni.pdf]. It includes plans to found a Security and Defence authority overseeing all such organisations in Iceland, including [[Icelandic Police|Police]] and Coast Guard. Increasing the capabilities of the Coast Guard by purchasing [[UT 512L OPV|vessels]] and aircraft, founding a Security or Secret service and establishing a secure communications system spanning the whole country. In addition, [[Member of Parliament|MP]] [[Magnús Þór Hafsteinsson]] of the [[Liberal Party (Iceland)|Liberal party]] has, in agreement with views expressed by [[Björn Bjarnason]] Minister of Justice and Ecclesiastical affairs, voiced his party's willingness to raise a standing army. [http://www.althingi.is/raeda/131/rad20041018T155528.html][http://www.althingi.is/raeda/132/rad20060316T121228.html] [http://www.bjorn.is/dagbok/2006/10/#d04] Many have campaigned for an Icelandic standing army since the late 19th century, including Iceland's Independence hero [[Jón Sigurðsson]],<ref> Jón Sigurðsson, "Um verzlun á Ísland", ''Ný félagsrit'' 3. p. 116-117.</ref> but except for the attempt in [[1940]] it has amounted to little.
:''See also: [[History of Iceland]]''
==Forces of the Foreign Ministry==
===Icelandic Crisis Response Unit===
[[Image:ICRU.png|left|thumb|[[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit]] [[Beret]] insignia.]]
''Main article'': [[Icelandic Crisis Response Unit]]
[[Image:IcelandPeacekorps.jpg|right|thumb|[[Colonel]] Lárus Atlason, Commander of [[Kabul International Airport]]]]
The Icelandic foreign ministry operates an expeditionary military unit called the "Crisis Response Unit" or ''Íslenska friðargæslan'' (in [[English language|English]]: the "Icelandic Peacekeeping Guard"). It has received military training and equipment from the [[Norwegian Army]], and is manned by civilian specialists, policemen and coast guardsmen. The unit provided support to peacekeeping missions in [[Kosovo]] and [[Afghanistan]] running the airports in both territories' respective capitals. The unit has also sent military mobile observation teams to northern [[Afghanistan]] and civilian observers to [[Sri Lanka]].
In [[October 2004]] three Icelanders were injured in a suicide bomb attack in [[Kabul]]. The incident led to tough questioning of the group's commander, Colonel [[Halli Sigurðsson]], focusing on his conduct (the incident apparently occurred while he was on a shopping expedition in an off-limits area) and his exact status. The opposition has accused the government of creating an army by stealth. Icelandic peacekeepers were pictured heavily armed in national papers alongside captions such as "If this is not a soldier then what is?" According to [[Davíð Oddsson]], then foreign minister, the peacekeepers are considered soldiers by [[NATO]] and [[international law]], but since they lack sufficient training and are members of no Icelandic standing army, they are, as for Icelandic politics, unbecoming of the title ''hermaður'' (soldier).
The ''Sýslumaður'' (sheriff) at the Keflavík NATO base also commands an intelligence unit, known as IIS-NATO or the Icelandic Intelligence Service, which is tasked with acquiring intelligence on the Crisis Response Units operational territories.
==Forces of the Defence Agency==
The Icelandic Defence Agency (''Varnarmálastofnun Íslands'') was founded in April [[2008]].[http://www.varnarmalastofnun.is/grein.php?id_grein=87] It functions as Icelands Defence Ministry and is under the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Among its duties is maintaining defence installations, intelligence gathering and military exercises.
===Iceland Air Defence System===
''Main article:'' [[Iceland Air Defence System]]
[[Image:Iceland Forces.png|thumb|left|Structure of the Icelandic Forces]]
The Iceland Air Defence System or ''Íslenska Loftvarnarkerfið'' was founded in [[1987]], and operates four [[radar]] complexes, a [[software]] and support facility and a command and report centre. It is the main element of the newly created Icelandic Defence Agency.
=== Possible standing military ===
Currently, the political tide in Iceland is against the formation of a regular armed force.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} However due to recent events, such as the U.S. military leaving, the heating tension in Europe with Russia and an important military exercise in August, 2007, the government of Iceland is considering taking steps to create a defense force in Iceland.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} This would mainly consist of a police-military force to begin with and weaponry received from the [[Danish military]], trained by Norwegian [[Officer (armed forces)|officers]].{{Fact|date=December 2007}} A [[Gallup]] poll from May, 2007 showed an increase in Iceland's concern regarding the island's defense and had the support for an Icelandic defense force at 68%.{{Fact|date=December 2007}} The overall decision for an Icelandic army is still in question.
==Interior Forces of the Justice Ministry==
===Coast Guard===
[[Image:ICG vessel types.JPG|thumb|250px|left|Icelandic Coast Guard vessels.]]
''Main article:'' [[Icelandic Coast Guard]]
The Icelandic Coast Guard originates back to the 1920s. Its main tasks from its initiation have been to protect Iceland's most valuable natural resource—its fishing areas—as well as provide security, search, and rescue services to Iceland's fishing fleet. In 1952, 1958, 1972, and 1975, the government expanded Iceland's exclusive economic zone to 4, 12, 50 and 200 nautical miles respectively. This led to Iceland's conflict with the United Kingdom, known as the "[[Cod War]]s". The Icelandic Coast Guard and the Royal Navy confronted each other on several occasions during these years. Although few rounds were fired, there were many intense moments between the two nations. The Captains of the Icelandic Coast Guard ships were regarded as heroes and earned their names in the history of Iceland as Iceland's bravest men. This attitude of heroism towards the Coast Guard persists in Iceland.
===Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner===
''Main article:'' [[Víkingasveitin|Special Forces of the National Commissioner]]
The Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner, usually called Víkingasveitin (The Viking Squad), is similar to Germany's [[GSG 9]] and Britain's [[Special Air Service|SAS]]; a well-trained group of operatives. The unit handles security of the state, anti/counter-terrorism projects, security of foreign dignitaries, as well supporting the police forces in the country when needed. The Viking Team is divided into five squads: a bomb squad that specializes in explosives; a boat squad that specializes in operations on sea and water, diving and underwater warfare; a sniper squad that specializes in sniper warfare, entries, and close target reconnaissance; an intelligence squad that specializes in anti-terrorism intelligence, surveillance and infiltration; and an airborne squad that specializes in airplane hijacking operations, skydiving surprise assault operations and port security. Members of the Viking Team were deployed in the Balkans as a part of operations lead by NATO, and some members have been deployed in Afghanistan. The unit used to be under the command of the Reykjavík Chief of Police, but in 2004 a new law was passed that put it directly under the National Police Commissioner. The Viking Squad has approximately 55 members.
== Sources ==
{{Commonscat|Military of Iceland}}
<references/>
#Birgir Loftsson, ''Hernaðarsaga Íslands : 1170-1581'', Pjaxi. Reykjavík. 2006..
#Þór Whitehead, ''The Ally who came in from the cold : a survey of Icelandic Foreign Policy 1946-1956'', Centre for International Studies. University of Iceland Press. Reykjavík. 1998.
#[http://www.lhg.is Icelandic Coast Guard].
#[http://www.logreglan.is Icelandic National Police].
#[http://www.iads.is Iceland Air Defence System].
#[http://www.domsmalaraduneyti.is Ministry of Justice and Ecclesiastical Affairs].
#[http://www.utanrikisraduneyti.is Ministry for Foreign Affairs].
== See also ==
* [[Cod War]]
* [[List of countries without armed forces]]
{{Icelandic Forces}}
{{Iceland topics}}
{{Military of Europe}}
{{NATO}}
[[Category:Military of Iceland| ]]
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