Norway and France Forge Closer Defense Ties With an View to the High North
Sébastien Lecornu visited Norway for the first time as France's Minister of Defense on Thursday. Here, he is welcomed by his Norwegian counterpart Bjørn Arild Gram and the Armed Forces at Akershus fortress in Oslo. (Photo: Synne Kvam/the Norwegian Ministry of Defense)
Norway and France recently signed a letter of intent on enhanced defense cooperation, emphasizing the significance of situational awareness and presence in the High North. "Protecting the maritime areas in Northern Europe is the key to European security," says the French minister of defense.
"France is an important ally. We want to expand and strengthen the defense and security policy cooperation with France,’" says the Norwegian Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram (Centre).
Last Thursday, he welcomed the French Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu (RE), in Oslo for bilateral conversations and the signing of a letter of intent on closer defense collaboration between the countries.
In the document, the parties highlight the importance of maintaining situational awareness and presence in the High North, as well as their joint strategic understanding of global security threats.
“Protecting the maritime areas of northern Europe is key to European security. Norway, because of its geographical location, is a major player in this field,” says Lecornu on X and continues:
“We share the conviction that the geographic and strategic realities we face call for a stronger defense relationship: the signing of a letter of intent is a decisive step in our partnership.”
Agreed Ministers of Defense: Sébastien Lecornu and Bjørn Arild Gram share perspectives and intention to further develop French-Norwegian cooperation. (Photo: Synne Kvam/the Norwegian Ministry of Defense)
Both a maritime focus and a new orientation
"France is one of our allied partners that sails, exercises, and trains the most in our neighboring areas. The country also plays an important role in the defense of Ukraine and in the strengthening of NATO's defense capabilities. Our common interests are many and broad, and we have a strong mutual interest in further developing our cooperation," Gram points out.
The letter of intent forms the basis for more joint exercises and training in Norway.
The countries will also, to a greater degree, collaborate on countering hybrid threats, particularly regarding the protection of critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables and energy supply lines.
"I believe this visit and the letter of intent is the start of even closer cooperation with France in several areas, such as maritime surveillance in the north and joint exercise activities," says the Norwegian minister of defense.
Lecornu adds that the countries will “strengthen our cooperation and extend it beyond the maritime sphere: in the cyber, space and intelligence domains, and face hybrid threats together.”
The Norwegian Defense Commission on intelligence cooperation in the High North
· "On behalf of other allies on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Norway is making a critical effort to surveil the strategic capacities [of the Russian Northern Fleet, ed. note] which could strike Europe with nuclear weapons, devastate critical infrastructure above and under water, or delay reinforcements over the Atlantic Ocean," the commission pointed out in its 2023 report and continued:
· "Norway's role in this work will be particularly important as the US shifts more resources toward Asia. To relieve the time spent by US aircraft and vessels in Norwegian immediate areas, Norway should continue integrating as closely as possible to the USA, the UK, France, and eventually Germany, to maintain an overview of these areas."
Synergies around capabilities
Lecornu and Gram also discussed possibilities for increased cooperation on defense materials and met with the Norwegian and French defense industries.
In the coming time, both countries will significantly invest in military capabilities.
France is among the candidates to become Norway's strategic partner in the acquisition of new frigates.
From the Norwegian side, Kongsberg Discovery presented Minister Lecornu with the autonomous underwater drone Hugin, among other things.
“Norway's excellence in the defense industry makes it a natural partner for France: our industries share the same requirements, and a high level of maturity and complementarity,” the French minister of defense points out on X.
“Norway must finally be involved in discussions between EU Member States on our common acquisition strategy aimed at asserting a European preference,” he adds.
Also read (the article continues below)
Working on relations
The new letter of intent with France is part of a series of recent Norwegian measures to strengthen defense cooperation with European allies, particularly in the High North.
- On December 16th, Norway's and the UK's prime ministers signed a strategic partnership agreement in which they say that they will invest further in defense and security cooperation in the High North and the North Atlantic.
- On December 2nd, Norway and Germany's defense ministers signed a letter of intent to strengthen space cooperation. The agreement includes facilitating cooperation on launches from Andøya Spaceport in Northern Norway and space operations.
The efforts to form closer defense ties with close allies align with the Defense Commission's recommendation.
This is also taking place in a context partly characterized by the fact that Donald Trump is now embarking on a new presidential term in the United States with a sharper eye on China and unpredictable policies.
"We may risk that several of our allies now turn inwards or toward other and greater challenges. That could be China, a troubled Southern Europe flank, or their own security challenges. Therefore, we must ensure that Norway has more legs to stand on. We must take joint responsibility for shaping and influencing the development of NATO and its relationship to Europe and the Nordic countries," the commission pointed out in its 2023 report.
The Norwegian Defense Commission (2023) on France:
· "France is a European great power with a central role in the EU and NATO. France's nuclear capability entails the country having a great interest in controlling Russian nuclear submarines in the Barents Sea. This means France is also interested in operations in our immediate areas and access to intelligence."
· "France faces important years both domestically and in further developing its positions for Europe, the Transatlantic relationship, and the Mediterranean region. France will continue playing a key role in most issues regarding regional development and stability."
· "France will likely continue its investment in high technology and a strong defense industry, as well as furthering its desire for strategic autonomy for its own country and Europe. For France, strong European security and defense policy cooperation is a necessary supplement to NATO."
· "The Defense Commission believes it is important that Norway further develops its cooperation with France intending to enhance Europe's own military capabilities."
