Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement on enhanced cooperation in anti-submarine warfare in the North Atlantic during the NATO Defence Ministers' meeting in Brussels. The aim is to strengthen NATO's capability to detect, track and counter submarines.
According to the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, the three countries will take on greater responsibility for monitoring submarine activity in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. The initiative is intended to strengthen NATO's anti-submarine warfare capability, address Russian submarine activity in the region and simultaneously reduce the burden on US global resources.
– Norway's strategic position makes it particularly important for us to be able to defend ourselves against hostile submarines. This is important for Norway's security and that of the entire NATO alliance. We are now strengthening Norway's and Europe's defence capability, says Norway's Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik in a press release from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence.
According to the press release, the initiative builds on the strategic partnership agreements that Norway has previously concluded with the United Kingdom (the Lunga House Agreement) and Germany (the Hansa Agreement). The cooperation will include enhanced surveillance, development of joint capabilities, planning, exercises and joint military operations.
– We will procure new submarines together with Germany and new frigates together with the United Kingdom. With today's new initiative, we are drawing even closer to two of our most important European allies in an area of great strategic significance, says Sandvik in the press release.