Would defensive mining stop Soviet amphibious forces?

Could defensive minefields around northern bases and coastal waters disrupt a Soviet amphibious offensive?

Yes, if Norway laid them before the attack, but doing so during the crisis could look provocative and political hesitation might leave them absent when war began.

Minefields create a readiness and escalation problem before they can serve as a defensive asset. Mines already in place could channel, slow, or damage Soviet amphibious forces approaching Norway and nearby islands. Laying them during a tense confrontation might be interpreted as preparation for war and could be withheld by a government trying to avoid provocation. A cheap and powerful sea-denial weapon can therefore fail strategically if authorization comes too late.