# Nordic defence ministers start work on joint defence agreement

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement
- Published: 2026-11-13
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Country: international
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement.md)
- Primary source: https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/begynner-arbeidet-med-nordisk-forsvarsavtale/id3192484/
- Tags: nordefco, denmark, iceland, finland, norway, sweden, nato

> Defence ministers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden met in Oslo to begin drafting a Nordic defence cooperation agreement aimed at enabling their military forces to operate together more seamlessly across borders. The agreement would complement NATO cooperation, with Sweden set to take over the NORDEFCO chairmanship in January 2027.

![Nordic flags](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/dca76dbc-45d3-445a-2e42-e0f522e80200/public)
*Nordic flags · Peter Mydske/Stortinget*

**The defence ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden agreed in Oslo on 12 November to begin drafting a possible Nordic defence cooperation agreement. It would pave the way for closer and more integrated cooperation between the five countries.**

A key topic was the need for a legal and political framework for cooperation in peace, crisis and war, the Norwegian defence ministry [said](https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/begynner-arbeidet-med-nordisk-forsvarsavtale/id3192484/).

— The ambition is to develop a defence agreement that allows Nordic military forces to operate together even more effectively and seamlessly across national borders, said Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik, who hosted the meeting.

Sandvik said the chiefs of defence report good operational cooperation. He sees potential to remove practical obstacles and adapt laws and regulations. The Nordic countries together have around 250 modern combat aircraft, nearly 145 surface vessels and some 100,000 peacetime military personnel, according to Sandvik.

The Danish Ministry of Defence [said](https://www.fmn.dk/da/nyheder/2026/nordisk-enighed-om-at-igangsatte-udarbejdelse-af-en-mulig-ny-forsvarssamarbejdsaftale/) the agreement would support and complement cooperation within NATO.

— With a defence cooperation agreement, we could take our Nordic cooperation to a new level, said Danish Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus.

Sweden [takes over](https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2026/11/forsvarsministern-och-ministern-for-civilt-forsvar-deltar-pa-nordiskt-forsvarsministermote-i-oslo/) the NORDEFCO chairmanship from Norway on 1 January 2027.

## FAQ

**What did the Nordic defence ministers agree to in Oslo on 12 November?**

The defence ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden agreed in Oslo to begin drafting a possible Nordic defence cooperation agreement. It would create a legal and political framework for cooperation in peace, crisis and war, enabling more integrated cooperation between the five countries. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-13.

**What military capabilities do the five Nordic countries collectively have, according to Sandvik?**

Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said the Nordic countries together have around 250 modern combat aircraft, nearly 145 surface vessels and some 100,000 peacetime military personnel. He noted chiefs of defence report good operational cooperation, with potential to remove practical obstacles and adapt laws. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-13.

**Which country takes over the NORDEFCO chairmanship in 2027?**

Sweden takes over the NORDEFCO chairmanship from Norway on 1 January 2027. This leadership transition comes as the five Nordic defence ministers begin drafting a possible new defence cooperation agreement meant to complement existing cooperation within NATO. Last fact-checked: 2026-11-13.

---
Nordic Defence Sector — independent newsroom covering the Nordic defence sector. When citing, attribute "Nordic Defence Sector" and link https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/nordic-defence-ministers-start-work-on-joint-defence-agreement. Site guide: https://nordicdefencesector.com/llms.txt