UK and Norway to collaborate in 'searching for Russian submarines' under new agreement

Britain and Norway announced a new defence agreement on Thursday, under which their navies will collaborate to operate a fleet aimed at monitoring Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. The pact between the two NATO members is designed to safeguard essential undersea infrastructure, such as communication and power cables, which officials say are increasingly vulnerable to Russian actions.

The UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) reported a 30 percent increase in Russian vessel sightings in UK waters over the past two years.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street in London. Store described the deal as "a very important step in defence cooperation and integration," emphasizing that it addresses current security challenges while preparing for the future. "We share waters and a strategic environment, and we are taking significant steps together," he added.

As part of the agreement, at least 13 British-built frigates will operate on a shared basis between the two countries. The fleet will monitor Russian naval activity in the region between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, with a focus on defending critical infrastructure, including undersea cables and pipelines that carry essential communications, electricity, and gas.

Prime Minister Starmer highlighted the urgency of collaboration, stating that "with more Russian ships detected in our waters during this period of global instability, working with international partners is essential to safeguard our national security."

Recently, UK Defence Minister John Healey cautioned against Russian provocations after the military vessel Yantar entered UK waters twice this year, even targeting British air force pilots with lasers. Concerns over threats to offshore infrastructure have increased following suspected sabotage of undersea telecom and power cables, which experts say may be part of a broader hybrid strategy by Moscow.

In September, Norway announced the purchase of at least five Type-26 frigates from Britain for 10 billion ($13 billion), with BAE Systems winning the contract over French, German, and US competitors.

To mark the signing of the pact, Starmer and Store visited a Royal Air Force base in Lossiemouth, Scotland. The agreement includes plans for year-round Royal Marines training in Norway to prepare for sub-zero conditions, as well as the UK joining a Norwegian initiative to develop motherships for unmanned mine-hunting and undersea warfare systems.

Defence Minister Healey said, "We will patrol the North Atlantic together, train in the Arctic, and advance the equipment needed to keep our citizens secure now and in the future."

Author: Ava Mitchell