Norway and the UK Strengthens Defense Cooperation: “A New Era”

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This was declared by Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik (Labor) and UK Defense Minister John Healey (Labour) during a press conference in Bodø on Thursday.

"The United Kingdom is Norway's closest and most important ally in Europe, and our two countries have had close and good security and defense cooperation for many years. We are now facing many of the same security challenges in a time characterized by much uncertainty," says Sandvik in a press release from the meeting in Bodø.

Therefore, he believes that it is natural for Norway and the United Kingdom to forge stronger ties with each other to strengthen their own and allied security and safeguard common strategic interests.

"We will concurrently contribute to making NATO stronger," says Sandvik.

Closer on intelligence

The two countries aim to create an agreement encompassing a wide range of areas, including closer cooperation on developing defense capabilities, strengthening strategic cooperation in the high north, and increasing military operations training together.

In addition, the UK and Norway will work more closely on ​​intelligence.

"The UK and Norway have acquired many of the same high-tech weapons systems in recent years. The goal is that through more joint military training, we will be able to operate together as effectively as possible," says the Norwegian MoD.

In this way, the two countries—both outside the EU—will strengthen Norwegian and allied defense capabilities both at sea, on land, and in the air.

Securing undersea infrastructure

During their visit to Bodø, Healey and Sandvik were given a tour aboard the British surveillance ship RFA Proteus and the Norwegian surveillance vessel KV Bison.

There, they were given a demonstration of new and groundbreaking technology that the British and Norwegian defense forces use to monitor activity below the sea surface, including deep down on the seabed.

Sandvik points out that Norway and the UK will further develop their cooperation to detect and prevent malicious acts and sabotage against critical underwater infrastructure.

The Russian threat

"For many years, Russia has maintained and further developed military capabilities that can impact subsea Western infrastructure. We must assume that this type of capacity can be used against Norwegian infrastructure in a more tense situation or conflict," says Sandvik, adding:

"Norway and the UK have high technology that we use continuously to monitor and protect our own underwater infrastructure. We do that job together," says Sandvik.

Together with the British Defense Minister, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense will send a very clear message to anyone who might want to carry out sabotage against underwater infrastructure.

"We will see you."

A new era

The first meeting of the two ministers took place in Kirkenes, Northern Norway, on Wednesday.

The UK MoD has shared photos of the meeting on social media together with a statement from Healey:

"On NATO’s border with Russia with Tore O. Sandvik to start a new era in defense cooperation between the UK and Norway - to boost our national security and strengthen NATO. European allies are stepping up for European security."

Healy also says that Norway is one of the UK's most important allies as partners in NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEH).

High North News is covering the ministerial meeting and will be back with more.