Norway and the United Kingdom Conclude 'Historic' Defence Agreement

Norway and the United Kingdom have signed a new bilateral defence agreement. The agreement includes joint naval capacity, increased presence of British troops in Norway, and cooperation in drones, anti-submarine warfare, and protection of underwater infrastructure.

According to the Norwegian government, the agreement, called Lunna House, aims to strengthen defence capabilities in the North Atlantic and contribute to increased readiness in the event of a crisis or conflict. The cooperation includes the integration of the Norwegian and British navies, joint exercises, and shared use of ships, technology, and crews.

– Norway and the United Kingdom will be even more closely linked militarily to strengthen NATO's northern flank and presence in the North Atlantic. This provides increased security for Norway, the United Kingdom, and our allies in a troubled time, says Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in the press release.

According to the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence, the agreement means that the countries will operate a joint fleet of Type-26 frigates – eight British and at least five Norwegian – tasked with monitoring Russian submarine movements, protecting underwater cables, and other critical infrastructure. Both countries will share maintenance facilities and participate in joint exercises and operations in the North Atlantic and the Arctic.

The agreement also includes new projects for drones and autonomous systems, with a particular focus on surveillance in northern areas. Experiences from the joint maritime support capability to Ukraine will be used to develop low-cost drones and unmanned systems for mine clearance and underwater operations. The United Kingdom is also joining Norway's programme to develop unmanned mother ships.

– We are committed to bringing the Norwegian and British navies closer together than ever before. This means sharing ships, technology, and crews – but also building joint capabilities to meet threats in the north, says Norway's Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik.

The agreement also means that the British Royal Marines will have an increased presence in Norway year-round, not just for winter exercises. Pre-positioning of British materiel in Norway and the development of joint anti-submarine warfare capabilities are part of the broader cooperation.

The United Kingdom's Defence Minister John Healey highlights the agreement as part of the government's commitment to stronger European defence alliances.

– Through this agreement, we will patrol the North Atlantic together, train in the Arctic, and develop advanced equipment that protects our citizens – now and in the future, he says in the British press release.

The name Lunna House refers to the historic resistance base on the Shetland Islands used by the so-called Shetland Bus during World War II, a collaboration between British and Norwegian forces.