Britain and Norway have reaffirmed their commitment to European security, pledging to strengthen their joint efforts in the face of growing threats from Russia, according to an announcement.
During a visit to Norway’s military command, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide highlighted the importance of their countries’ defence cooperation, especially in supporting Ukraine.
With Russia’s ongoing aggression, Lammy stressed that “the UK’s relationship with Norway, as a key ally in the defence of NATO’s northern flank, has never been more important.”
Both nations confirmed their commitment to boosting Ukraine’s military capabilities, including air defence and maritime support, as part of wider efforts to counter Russian advances.
A key focus of the visit was Russia’s covert “shadow fleet,” which is believed to be transporting illicit funds that fuel the war in Ukraine. Lammy noted that these efforts are directly aligned with the UK’s sanctions regime aimed at “cutting the flow of illicit funds to Putin’s war chest.”
Norway’s patrols of the waters between the UK and Russia’s Northern Fleet are crucial in safeguarding energy security, say the UK Government in the press release. These naval patrols “detect, deter, and manage increasingly sophisticated subsea threats to energy, security, and critical national infrastructure,” a priority for both nations given the UK’s heavy reliance on Norwegian energy supplies.
Lammy praised Norway’s role, saying, “Norway acts as our eyes and ears in the High North; our joint work at the Norwegian military headquarters underlines the importance of our work to bolster Europe’s defences.”
The visit also highlighted plans for over 4,000 British troops to be deployed to Norway in the next six months for Arctic training and military exercises, reflecting the close military collaboration that has been in place for over 50 years.
In addition to defence, the ministers discussed energy security and how the two countries can work together on transitioning to greener energy sources. This follows an agreement in July between the UK and Norwegian Prime Ministers to develop a new UK-Norway partnership focusing on security and energy transition.
I am looking forward to hearing some good news amongst all the doom and gloom that Norway has ordered 5 Type 26’s that are identical to RN vessels.
If that means taking one from the RN but the overall production rate is increased and perhaps we get an extra 1 or even 2 then so be it. I am reliably informed that Northumberland is in a very poor state so RN frigate numbers are going to shrink still further anyway.
I was thinking the same thing.🤔
If they want identical surely they’ll wait 10 years for the first to be delivered just like the RN has had to!
That depends on whether a frigate in Norway would be more immediately useful than a frigate here, given the nature of the threat.
Have they confirmed they are buying the type26?
No.
Wouldn’t Arrowhead/T31 be better suited to Norway’s need – much more affordable too . Would mean a degree of commonality with the Danes and the Poles as well as RN . Clearly not the under- armed bargain basement thing that were going to get ( at least until fitted with MK41 ) but closer to the Danish or Polish spec ?
The Norwegians are not short of money and they need a high end ASW platform to keep track of Russian subs. The Type 31”s are not designed for ASW so the Type 26 is the definitely the right choice for them.
Why would you think Norway would buy T26????
Was reported last year I recall. Joint P8 users, joint defenders of the GIUK, it would be very useful.
But sorry, I for one do not want the RN to have to wait if it means Norway getting our T26s.
I get the sentiment but an order for an additional 5 Type 26’s in U.K. yards would be too good to turn down. For me it would be either the 3rd or 4th ship that I would be prepared to sell. Given the proposed ISD’s of the Type 31s and the first 3 Type 26’s that would not come at a reduction in the overall frigate force because I am afraid I think that is going to shrink still further given the condition of the remaining Type 23’s. As an offset I would suggest adding weaponry to some of the… Read more »
Well if it worked that way with the timings and did not further reduce numbers further it may work?
The thought of reduced costs enabling an increase in numbers as some have also suggested is also tempting, but I don’t believe in Unicorns.
Unfortunately, I think we may bottom out with only 6 frigates as the first type 26 and 31 start trials. I can remember the controversy when Knott suggested a cut to 50 escorts!
As for more type 26’s it maybe chasing unicorns but even one more would make a difference.
17 when the Tories came in. National scandal if anyone beyond those that care had any interest in our military.
Sadly, the Tory legacy goes way beyond defence and whilst we may notice and care for many not getting an NHS dentist, potholes everywhere and a jump in their mortgage payments to name just a few are real day to day concerns.
Just think of the waste on HS2 and we could fill that black hole 3 or 4 times over.
It was actually 23 escorts in 2010 when Cameron came in. They disposed of the 4 Batch 3 Type 22s immediately.
Yes, I meant Frigates. 13 T23, 4 T22B3.
17 frigates have reduced to 8 or 9 on their watch.
The 6 T45 take it to 23.
The killer was also Labour removing the 3 T23 in 2004 for, no reason at all other than to cut. Grafton, Somerset, and I forget the other.
Yes Norfolk, Marlborough and Grafton. The latter was one of the newer Type 23’s but was due a refit. The Batch 3 Type 22s were arguably the best frigates we have ever had and were only a little older than the early Type 23”s. This was acknowledged by the 3 Type 23s being sold and the Type 22s retained. They were better built but required a larger crew. We then had the insane disposal of RFA Largs Bay and Fort George? whist retaining the 2 older Forts but them then never re-entering service. How we could still do with both… Read more »
Ah yes, silly me, nor Somerset. Lol. Yes, losing Largs for a paltry yearly saving was insane for the utility of the ships. The older Forts Austin and Rosalie ( was Grange) I’d read could not keep up with the carriers. Why keep them but get rid of George is beyond me? The politicians and 1SL that okeyed these acts of self mutilation should be in a public inquiry. T22B3s were and remain my fav RN warships. Well armed, and with CIWS and a main gun which the B1 and 2 T22s lacked, plus I understand SIGINT capability which was… Read more »
Nor do I but you don’t hear the head of BAe stating it as a fact unless he can back it up. He has said quite bluntly they can accelerate the build time to 60 months if they get more orders (that’s 1 pa). But that unless they get more orders they will need to slow down to avoid a production gap.
M8 No one wants to accept a delay but, the simple fact is that due to the complete incompetence of every U.K Government since 1970’s our Frigate Fleet has shrunk. The latest shrink is due to Camelune not having a clue about how industry works and how to work with it to provide what we need when we need it and a price we can afford. If he had actually stuck to 13 T26 as originally planned BAe would have built the Frigate hall 10 years ago and we would probably already have some in service. We have to accept… Read more »
If EU is so great why do the uk and Norway need to protect europe when our own borders are being overun every day