UK–Norway Defence Cooperation

UK–Norway Defence Cooperation – strengthened partnership in an era of heightened geopolitical tension

The United Kingdom and Norway have long maintained a close and strategic defence partnership. As NATO allies, both countries share key security interests in the North Atlantic, the High North, and the Baltic region. The news of the Norwegian acquisition of British frigates will further strengthen UK-Norway ties.

The Norwegian government has, after a long period of considering alternatives, announced that Norway is to acquire British frigates. The acquisition, which will become the largest defence acquisition in Norwegian history, will be built on a binding government to government agreement, which in turn will materialise in a contract with UK defence supplier BAE Systems, a member of the British-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce.

In parallel the two countries will negotiate industrial partnership agreements, involving relevant industry from the two countries.

«Norway and the UK are close allies, with common interests and very close ties. I am confident that a strategic partnership with the UK to purchase, develop and sail frigates together is the right thing to do. This partnership will give Norway the best starting point to achieve the goals that the Storting agreed on in the long-term plan,» says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in an official press release from the Norwegian government.

«Together we will acquire frigates for the British and Norwegian navies. We will operate, maintain and further develop the ships for decades to come. This will help strengthen our and NATO’s ability to monitor and protect maritime areas in the North. This is of great importance to the common security interests of Norway, the United Kingdom and our allies in a turbulent time,» says Støre.

Chair of the British-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, Håkon Borud, comments, «The United Kingdom and Norway share one of Europe’s most enduring and forward-looking bilateral relationships, built on shared history, common values, and strong economic ties,” said Håkon Borud, Chair of the British-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce. “At the BNCC, we are committed to strengthening trade, investment, and business collaboration between our two countries. We are therefore delighted to see this partnership further reinforced and warmly congratulate our member BAE Systems on this achievement.»

Long standing partnership

The signing of the new frigates build on a long standing partnership between the two countries.
A central element of the cooperation is military presence and training in Norway. British forces regularly participate in exercises such as Cold Response, where winter warfare and interoperability with Norwegian units are at the forefront. This provides UK troops with valuable Arctic training, while enhancing Norway’s ability to receive and integrate allied reinforcements.

A crucial area of interest of both countries lies in its cooperation in the maritime domain. Two seafaring nations with long history joint by the North sea. This partnership is exemplified by Norway’s contribution to the UK’s Carrier Strike Group deployment this year, and the enduring partnership between our Marines, who have trained together for over 50 years. By joining forces through the new Type 26-frigates, this will be strengthened further.

Defence procurement is another area of collaboration which has been strong also prior to the news of the frigate acquisition. Both countries operate the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, enabling joint surveillance of northern sea areas and strengthening NATO’s collective security.

Norwegian-UK Strategic Partnership

On the political level, London and Oslo have in recent years deepened bilateral agreements on intelligence sharing, preparedness, and responses to new threats such as cyberattacks.
Building on the Norwegian-UK Strategic Partnership, signed by both countries’ Prime Ministers on 16 December 2024, closer defence cooperation is a key building block in that partnership. Following this agreement, the UK and Norway announced in February their intention to further deepen these ties through establishing a new defence agreement.

UK–Norway defence cooperation is not only a reflection of historic ties, but also a practical necessity in an era of heightened geopolitical tension in Europe and the Arctic.

The BNCC is proud to partner with companies working in and with the defence sector, and remains committed to supporting the two countries even closer partnership in the acquisition of British frigates and a future extended defence partnership. The acquistion of British frigates will provide valuable industrial opportunities for both Norwegian and UK industry.