Editing Defence of Iceland (section)

== Coast Guard ==
[[Image:Iceland Coast Guard vessel types.jpg|thumb|Icelandic Coast Guard vessels. [[ICGV Týr|Týr]] in the center.]]
{{Main|Icelandic Coast Guard}}
Shortly after Iceland reclaimed its sovereignty in 1918, the Icelandic Coast Guard was founded. Its first vessel, a former Danish research vessel, was armed with a 57&nbsp;mm cannon. The Coast Guard is responsible for protecting Iceland's sovereignty and vital interests including the most valuable natural resource—its fishing areas—as well as providing security, search, and rescue services to Iceland's fishing fleet. In 1952, 1958, 1972, and 1975, the government progressively expanded Iceland's exclusive economic zone to {{convert|4|, |12|, |50|, and|200|nmi|km|0|abbr=off}}. This led to a conflict with the United Kingdom, among other states, 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. Today the Coast Guard remains Iceland's premier fighting force equipped with armed patrol vessels and aircraft and partaking in peacekeeping operations in foreign lands.

The Coast Guard has four vessels and four aircraft (one fixed wing and three helicopters) at their disposal.

=== Iceland Air Defence System ===
{{main|Iceland Air Defence System}}
[[Image:Iceland Forces.png|thumb|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 a part of the Coast Guard.

Iceland's NATO allies also regularly deploy [[fighter aircraft]] to patrol the country's airspace as part of the [[Icelandic Air Policing]] mission.<ref name="NATO_ACO"/>