Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Store (left), and Sir Keir Starmer (right) shaking hands as the UK and Norway defence pact is signed(Picture: Alastair Grant/PA Wire)
The UK and Norway’s navies will join forces to operate a combined fleet of warships to hunt Russian submarines in the North Atlantic.
This follows a new defence pact between the two countries to protect critical undersea cables that are under increasing threat from Moscow, amid heightened tensions following the invasion of Ukraine.
If undersea infrastructure is attacked, it could cause ‘catastrophic disruption’ to the financial and communications systems the British public relies on, the National Security Strategy Committee warned in a September report.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said there has been a 30% rise in Russian vessels sighted in UK waters in the past two years.
The so-called Lunna House agreement is underpinned by a £10 billion UK-Norway warship deal signed in September and will be a major boost to British shipbuilding, supporting more than 4,000 high-skilled British jobs.
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Type 26 frigates will be constructed at the BAE Systems yard in Glasgow and will allow a fleet of at least 13 anti-submarine ships from the UK and Norway to operate jointly in northern Europe.
At least five of these anti-submarine ships will be Norwegian.
These warships will monitor Russian naval movements in the waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK.
Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Store, to 10 Downing Street today (Picture: Alastair Grant/PA Wire)
Seabed cables and pipelines critical to British communications, electricity and gas networks will be defended by the warships.
The UK will join Norway’s programme to develop motherships for uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems under this new agreement.
Royal Marines will be trained in Norway to fight in sub-zero conditions.
The two countries will deepen their collaboration on using UK-built sting ray torpedoes, carry out joint wargaming, and lead NATO’s adoption of autonomous systems in the High North.
Advanced Norwegian naval strike missiles, which can take out enemy ships at ranges of more than 100 miles, will also be adopted by the Royal Navy.
This announcement comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Store at RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland today.
The two leaders will be briefed by P-8 maritime patrol crews who have been tracking Russian vessels, including the spy ship Yantar, which recently aimed lasers at one of the aircraft.
Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘At this time of profound global instability, as more Russian ships are being detected in our waters, we must work with international partners to protect our national security.
‘This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on.
Defence Secretary John Healey (left) and Norway’s Minister of Defence Tore Sandvik have signed the agreement (Picture: Alastair Grant/ AP)
‘Through joint navy co-operation in the North Atlantic, we’re boosting security, supporting thousands of UK jobs, and showcasing Britain’s world-class shipbuilding on the global stage.
The agreement was signed by Defence Secretary John Healey and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore Sandvik, in Downing Street.
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Mr Healey said: ‘In this new era of threat and with increasing Russian activity in the North Atlantic, our strength comes from hard power and strong alliances.
‘When our critical infrastructure and waters are threatened, we step up.
‘For over 75 years, the UK and Norway have stood shoulder to shoulder on NATO’s northern flank, defending Europe and keeping our people safe.
‘This partnership takes us further, making our nations more secure at home and strong abroad.’
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