Norway and the United Kingdom have announced a major step to strengthen their already close defence and security partnership, issuing a joint statement on 20 February 2025, according to a policy paper released by the UK Ministry of Defence.
The statement marks the start of formal work toward a new defence agreement—scheduled to be signed by summer 2025—that aims to enhance the capabilities, industrial ties, and collaborative efforts of the two nations’ armed forces.
“We build on strong foundations,” the statement notes, referencing a joint declaration signed by the British and Norwegian prime ministers in December 2024. It highlights common security threats, “increasing threats,” and each country’s “commitment to democracy and the rule of law.”
The upcoming agreement seeks to develop “closer industrial ties” and strengthen Euro-Atlantic security by boosting defence cooperation in NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force, and other forums.
A key focal point is “the most urgent issue” of supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion, with both Norway and the UK continuing “unwavering support for as long as it takes.”
Emphasising the growing challenges from Russia—such as attacks on critical undersea infrastructure and other forms of hybrid aggression—both countries will “enhance [their] ability to protect [their] critical undersea infrastructure,” underscoring the significance of newly introduced surveillance vessels RFA Proteus (UK) and KV Bison (Norway).
“By using our advanced capabilities today, and developing our joint working into the future,” the statement reads, “we are able to send a message to anyone who may intend to cause harm to our critical national infrastructure, that we will see you.”
The two nations will also deepen intelligence cooperation, increase joint capability development, and “enhance [their] strategic cooperation in the High North and North Atlantic,” reflecting both countries’ historical and geographical ties to maritime operations.
The announcement closes by reiterating the determination to finalise this new defence arrangement “by summer 2025,” with “government to government, military to military, and industry to industry” efforts contributing to stronger collective security for both countries and NATO’s northern flank.
Well to me this sounds like they’re gearing up for a Norwegian Type 26 deal.
Good, It’s for the best.
Let’s hope so, even if it means we give them the 3rd one currently in build and delay one of our orders to later .
Have we ordered batch 2 yet for T26?
Batch 2 has been ordered. Announced in Nov 2022.
Yes…but it’s going to take ten years to build five ships !
BAE have started building the first two ships of the second batch.
Reckon we should also link up with Denmark and Canada now, to ensure Greenland remains free of the unstable former Colonies. DENCANUKLAND. It’s a no brainer now that Russia and the USA seem to be bed mates.
According to Mark Felton, even if the US wanted to buy Greenland, and Denmark would have to agree to sell, the UK would have the first refusal because of an agreement between Denmark and the UK. However, I’m sure they would prefer to be independent.
I read that too. Much prefer it to be Independent but wouldn’t want to see it going to Mr Ego.
True an agreement post WE1. My worry would be that if I remember correctly we paid Russia for what is now Oregon and the Americans simply occupied it via paying for settlers to settle it, thus defacto gaining it for free. Indeed if we hadn’t taken urgent action ie building the Canadian Pacific railway the West of Canada would have gone south too.
I believe that the American attempt to invade Canada was a total disaster at the time. and subsequent visions were rather inept too. Canada is a vast Country but most of it is uninhabited and rather Hostile. Most Canadians are located to the North East of the USA. with a few other places to the North West of Washington State….. Canada is a natural Fortress not easily invaded from the North or South.
They essentially are independent they are self governing and it’s written into their 2009 self governing agreement That they can become fully independent any time they so wish…they just have to press the we are fully independent button..they only reason they don’t is Denmark pay for a load of stuff…
Greenland is part of North America, not Europe, and has suffered as a colony under Danish arrogance. It’s time to end Greenland’s colonial status and allow it to become independent and shelter under the umbrella of its natural ally, the United States. First step is a referendum about independence where the People of Greenland can shed their dependence on a militarily weak, oppressive Denmark and Europe and flourish in association with the United States. The last thing the people of Greenland want is to be under the tyrannical thumb of the leftist authoritarians who control the United Kingdom.
Go away. no one cares what you say .
Yeah, I’m sure the Greenlanders will be dead keen to swap the Danish social model for yours!!
Tyrannical leftist government..you mean the duly elected democratic government of this nation that centralists…
As for greenland, it’s a self governing independent state with its own democratically Elected government, some parts of its systems are still funded by Denmark and its foreign policy is lead by Denmark…but and this is the importance bit it can separate and claim full independence from Denmark at any time it so wishes..it’s a built in part of the 2009 self governing act…so of Greenland wished to become fully independent next month it simply would.
But the will of the people of Greenland is not yet for complete self governance..as they want the continued state funding from Denmark while they are developing some of their infrastructure..around 69% agree they are aiming for complete independence within 20 years, but they are not pressing the button until they are ready
So Denmark is not oppressing them, that’s just miss information. As for greeenland coming under the unbrella of the U.S….a nation that has essentially just stated it would like to purchase their sovereign from Denmark..85% want nothing to do with the U.S. state other than be neutral to you.
So maybe just leave them alone and stop bullying them.
You really haven’t a clue about anything. Have you ever ventured beyond your basement?
Why would Greenland want to have anything to do with your newly conquered fascist state run by half wits and cretins?
The UK acts as the framework nation for the Joint Expeditionary Force, which comprises the UK and the Nordic & Baltic states. I personally think that our focus (after Homeland Defence) should be on North Atlantic/Arctic and the Nordic/Baltics. We could do so much to help the Nordics and Baltics by providing complementary capabilities that they need.
In turn, you could argue that Germany/Poland would be best placed to act as the framework nations in Eastern Europe and perhaps France/Italy for the Mediterranean.
UK holds the strategic cards in the Med both East and West. UK needs to engage with Norway and Denmark now and In particular the Denmark owned Greenland, This is equally important to Canada too. UK can be the central power that nits together Canada, Norway and Greenland so denying Russia and it’s new partner from controlling the North Atlantic and Arctic areas of interest.
All we actually need now is a leader with the balls to make it happen.
The only person I can see doing this is Ben Wallace with his hands untied.
I agree, I think it’s in everyone’s interest the UK annexes Greenland. We could add it to Scotland. Everyone wants to be Scottish so it’s an easy sell. The Donald also loves Scotland so as long as we give him what every minerals he desires I’m sure it will be ok.
Daniel Morgan perhaps you could tell us what Minerals the Donald wants and what he plans to use them for. Our political leaders do seem to focus on minerals being a big issue so that leaves us confused.
Use that’s it we need a Scottish lead new world order…great, up for that sensible bunch the Scot’s, trouble is they are sensible and would tell everyone to Git Awa’ and Bile Yer Heid.
😀
They use them to make mineral water.
More government fluff.
I don’t think so. not this time. “Over the coming months, we will work towards our new defence agreement with a determination to sign by summer 2025.” That’s pretty specific.
Get some orders in for Type 26, stopping holding BAE back in the rate of shipbuilding and let them get them in the water ASAP with the full complement (or more) ordered immediately
Canada is in an interesting position with all this. NATO per se is finished until Trump and his entire family, Vance and the rest of the vile shower are long gone. Personally I doubt it will recover. If Europe wakes up in time to hold Mad Vlad back then the Canadians will be on their own with a hostile roque state on its southern border.
And a hostile state on its northern border, given Russia is quite belligerent in the Canadian high north.
I have to ask what Bike you ride ? …. I’m a Busa/ZZR1400 fan personally.
How about Norway pays the UK for defense of the north or it spends more money,of which it’s got plenty defending it’s own waters
I don’t see why they should pay personally. I think they can spend their money on their own defence, just like every other country in Europe and Scandinavia. I believe that Trumps actions can actually start to kick start this powerhouse area into fending for itself.
Just seen on GBN Sweden are investigating a cable be cut between Finland and Germany 🙄
Has KGB news blamed Ukraine yet?
Working with the Nordics is well established, we have for decades. Any formalisation is to be commended. Not so much because of Russia, but China. They are the future “problem” for the Arctic, a hunger for resources. I get the feeling of late Putin is Xi’s useful fool. And Russia has a lot of what China wants. With Sweden and Finland on board, the far north could become a very hostile place for any interloper. Lots of gas blowing around about Greenland. It is just gas imo. People who want something badly, well in the west at least ( still ) it has to be consensual. Chinese naval presence in Murmansk???
Stop talking about it and get on with it