Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence Cooperation between Norway and the United Kingdom
News story | Date: 20/02/2025 | Ministry of Defence
The UK and Norway are the closest of Allies with a deep history and a powerful defence and security relationship, built upon a shared strategic position and common outlook. We share the same security challenges, increasing threats, and commitment to democracy and the rule of law. We are tied together culturally, historically, economically, and strategically; our defence and security interests are, and will remain, intrinsically linked in the years ahead.
We build on strong foundations, which were strengthened by the Joint Declaration on the Norwegian-UK Strategic Partnership, signed by our Prime Ministers on 16 December 2024. Closer defence cooperation is a key building block in that partnership.
The meeting of our Defence Ministers in Norway today kickstarts work towards a deep, ambitious defence agreement between our two nations, in this new era for defence. T
his will ensure that our two nations together work on common challenges and pursue our common interests.
We will seek to develop closer industrial ties, enhance our capabilities, and strengthen our Armed Forces. We will work to bring our defence industries closer together to boost jobs, growth, and innovation across our two nations.
We will step up our commitment to work together to strengthen Euro-Atlantic Security, in NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force, the Northern Group and other multilateral forums.
The most urgent issue we collectively face is support for Ukraine, who continue to fight against President Putin’s full-scale invasion. Our shared commitment to Ukraine is ironclad, and we will continue our unwavering support for as long as it takes, including through our successful co-leadership of the Maritime Capability Coalition.
We will challenge ourselves across all domains, to further enhance the interoperability and interchangeability of our Armed Forces. In this new era, we will increase our shared understanding of the threats we face through increased intelligence cooperation, joint capability development and enhancing our strategic cooperation in the High North and North Atlantic.
It is at sea where we share the closest bonds, built on our shared geography and history as two of the world’s great seafaring nations. This partnership is typified 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.
While Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues, Russian aggression across Europe is also growing. Over many years, Russia has continued to develop capabilities which could target critical national infrastructure. We recognise that Russia is willing to use all means at its disposal to undermine European cohesion and support to Ukraine.
We will work to enhance our ability to protect our critical undersea infrastructure and counter hybrid threats. It is fitting that we have agreed this statement against the backdrop of RFA Proteus and KV Bison, our two dedicated surveillance vessels. These cutting-edge capabilities show how we can together tackle underwater threats.
By using our advanced capabilities today, and developing our joint working into the future, we are able to send a message to anyone who may intend to cause harm to our critical national infrastructure, that we will see you.
Over the coming months, we will work towards our new defence agreement with a determination to sign by summer 2025. We will work government to government; military to military; and industry to industry, to deliver on our shared objectives and strengthen our two nations’ security, as well as NATO’s northern frontline. Through decades of cooperation, we know that we are stronger when we stand together.