UK and Norway to conduct joint naval patrols to safeguard undersea cables and track Russian submarines

LONDON The United Kingdom and Norway are set to conduct joint naval operations to defend undersea communication cables and track Russian submarines, according to the U.K. government. The announcement came as Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Stre to discuss defense cooperation.

The planned operations will involve a combined fleet of at least 13 warships tasked with both hunting Russian submarines and securing critical infrastructure across the North Atlantic. This initiative builds on a major defense agreement reached in August, under which Norway agreed to acquire a minimum of five British-built frigates.

Under the new collaboration, these Norwegian frigates and eight British vessels will operate together along NATOs northern maritime routes. The agreement, officially signed Thursday in London by the defense ministers of both countries, also includes provisions for the Royal Navy to integrate Norwegian missile systems into its surface fleet.

During the visit, Starmer and Stre were scheduled to meet at 10 Downing Street and later visit RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland to interact with British and Norwegian personnel, including aircrews who have been actively monitoring Russian naval movements. Recent U.K. assessments indicate that Russian naval activity in waters near Britain has risen by 30% over the last two years.

Author: Benjamin Carter