UK, Norway sign landmark defence pact to protect Europe from Russian spy vessels

The United Kingdom and Norway are all set to sign a landmark defence pact, aimed at establishing a combined naval fleet to track Russian spy submarines operating across the North Atlantic. The deal is seen as a bid to safeguard critical undersea cables, which face an escalating threat from Moscow.

On Wednesday, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) released a statement about the agreement, mentioning that there has been a 30 per cent rise in Russian vessel sightings in UK waters over the past two years. The announcement came as UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Store, at RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland.

Ahead of the signing, the two sides are scheduled to get a briefing from P-8 maritime patrol crews, who have tracked Russian vessels such as the spy ship Yantar, which recently targeted one of their aircraft with lasers. The deal will be formally called the Lunna House agreement, named after the Shetland Isles base used by the Norwegian resistance in the Second World War.

More from World

What happens when a sanctioned Russian drone maker becomes Chinese? Putin begins his two-day India visit today: How New Delhi will balance tested ties with US and Russia

What the deal would entail

According to the British Ministry of Defence, the pact is underpinned by a £10 billion UK-Norway warship deal signed in September. Under the deal, Type 26 frigates will be constructed at the BAE Systems yard in Glasgow. This will form a fleet of at least 13 anti-submarine ships from both nations, with a minimum of five being Norwegian.

The warships will be monitoring Russian naval movements across the waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, defending seabed cables and pipelines vital for British communications, electricity, and gas networks.

The agreement will be signed by Defence Secretary John Healey and his Norwegian counterpart Tore Sandvik in Downing Street. It will also see the UK join Norway’s programme to develop motherships for uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems.

Not only this, Royal Marines will be trained in Norway to fight in sub-zero conditions. Under the pact, the two nations are also expected to deepen their collaboration on using UK-built Stingray torpedoes, carry out joint wargaming and lead NATO’s adoption of autonomous systems in the High North. The British Royal Navy is also expected to adopt advanced Norwegian naval strike missiles, which can take out enemy ships at ranges of more than 100 miles.

Quick Reads

View All

Why Putin wants to partner India for Russia’s Far East

Su-57 fighter jets, labour and civil nuclear cooperation… Deals likely to be cracked during Putin’s India visit

“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," Starmer said on Wednesday.

“This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on.” “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," he averred.