Norway and France have signed a new bilateral defence agreement, called the Narvik Agreement, which includes a mutual defence clause committing the two countries to assist each other, including militarily, if the need arises. At the same time, Norway is joining France's initiative on European nuclear deterrence, alongside nine other European countries.

This is stated in a press release from the Norwegian government.

The agreement was signed in Paris by Norway's Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik and France's Minister of Defence Catherine Vautrin. The name refers to the Battle of Narvik (northern Norway) during the Second World War, in which Norwegian and French forces participated in the Allies' first victory against Nazi Germany.

"We are facing the most serious security situation since the Second World War. The government is pursuing a strategy aimed at strengthening the foundations of Norwegian security. NATO membership is crucial to our national security," said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in the press release.

He describes the agreement as part of Norway's so-called "hedging strategy", in which the country deepens defence cooperation with several leading European military powers in parallel with NATO cooperation and the relationship with the United States. Over the past six months, Norway has also signed defence agreements with the United Kingdom and Germany.

"The Narvik Agreement will give new momentum to our cooperation. The agreement contains a provision on mutual defence: our two countries commit to assisting each other, including with military assistance, should the need arise," said Støre.

According to the Norwegian government, the agreement covers areas including operational cooperation in the Arctic, exercises and training, pre-positioning of materiel, cybersecurity, space cooperation, maritime security, support for Ukraine, and defence industrial cooperation.

At the same time, Norway announced that it is joining France's initiative on European nuclear deterrence, presented by President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year. In addition to France, the participating countries are the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Greece, and Norway.

NDS reported in March that Sweden and Denmark had joined a dialogue with France on how to strengthen European security and nuclear deterrence. At the time, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasised that the initiative would serve as a complement to NATO's existing deterrence and would not entail any change to the countries' nuclear doctrine.

In April, NDS also reported that Sweden and France held their first meeting within a joint Nuclear Steering Group in Paris, as part of France's effort to establish bilateral strategic nuclear dialogues with European partner countries.

"Together with some of our closest partners and allies, Norway will discuss in greater detail how France's nuclear weapons can further strengthen European security and deterrence," said Støre.

He simultaneously underlined that the process does not entail any change to Norway's nuclear policy.

"There shall be no nuclear weapons on Norwegian soil in peacetime," said Støre.

Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik described the agreement as a tool for strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.

"The Narvik Agreement is an important part of our strategy to safeguard Norwegian defence and security interests at a time when Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities," he said.