The United Kingdom and Norway have signed a new agreement deepening helicopter cooperation between their navies, allowing British aircraft to operate from Norwegian warships and bases.
First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins and Chief of the Norwegian Navy Rear Admiral Oliver Berdal signed the agreement in Oslo on 25 February. It builds on the wider “Lunna House” defence agreement concluded in December, which committed both countries to closer naval integration, cooperation on future frigates and collaboration on autonomous systems.
The new arrangement formalises the ability for British helicopters to embark on Norwegian naval and coast guard vessels, as well as to be stationed at Norwegian bases. Norway’s navy currently sails its frigates without organic helicopters, a gap the agreement is intended to mitigate during joint operations and exercises.
Rear Admiral Berdal said the UK is one of Norway’s most important allies and that integration between the two forces has increased in recent years. He noted that embarking British helicopters would support effective integration in joint operations and exercises, while also strengthening Norway’s own defence capability.
The cooperation builds directly on Operation Highmast in 2025, when the Norwegian frigate KNM Roald Amundsen deployed for eight months with the UK Carrier Strike Group led by HMS Prince of Wales. During that deployment, a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron operated from the Norwegian frigate, with British aircrew integrated into the ship’s company.
British Wildcat helicopters have since returned to Norway, with one currently stationed at Haakonsvern and set to participate in Exercise Cold Response 26. Several British personnel who served aboard KNM Roald Amundsen during Operation Highmast were this week awarded the Norwegian Medal for International Service.
The agreement signals a continued shift toward routine cross-decking and deeper operational integration between the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy, particularly in the High North and North Atlantic.
I hope that this doesn’t provide an excuse to (further) reduce the UK medium lift helicopter order -still hopefully imminent…
I doubt it.
I too read they might announce something soon. Such a palavar over two dozen ( if that ) medium helicopters that should have been replaced OTS years ago, and cheaply too.
I expect Grandstanding from the usual suspects at the “world leading” handful we will buy at eye watering cost, with more emphasis on jobs than on the actual military capability they will provide.
NMH? Shirley not Sir!
NMH = anything Euro, UH-60 not allowed
Yes, we’re going to buy a handful of green painted executive transport helicopters – minus the leather seats and tables
The Lunna House Agreement is a rare instance of a defence agreement having real substance rather just vaguely worded aspirations. 9 out 10 amount to no more than a ministerial PR opportunity, a press release, and perhaps a small scale (low cost!) military exercise – after which it all gets forgotten about and the agreement is sent to the archives.