Norway and USA agree on additional agreed facilities and areas under the SDCA
News story | Date: 02/02/2024 | Ministry of Defence
Today, Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram and U.S. ambassador to Norway, Marc Nathanson, signed an amendment agreement under the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA). The agreement declares intent to establish eight additional agreed facilities and areas in Norway. Pending the consent of the Norwegian Parliament, these sites can be used by Norway, the United States and other allied forces for a number of military purposes. The signing contributes to a further development of the SDCA, which the Norwegian parliament agreed to in June 2022.
- In today's security environment, we must continue to strengthen the relationship with our allies. It is important for our security and for the entire Nordic region. The United States is our closest ally, and the bilateral cooperation between our two countries has developed over more than 75 years. The security challenges and the operational requirements are greater and more serious now, compared to when the SDCA was negotiated in 2021. More agreed facilities and areas in Norway will also have a positive effect in a Nordic context, says Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram.
The proposed new agreed facilities and areas are Andøya air station and airfield, Ørland air station and airfield, Haakonsvern naval station, Værnes garrison, air station and air field, Bardufoss air station and airfield, Setermoen garrison with firing range and exercise area, Osmarka cave complex and Namsen fuel terminal. Together with the pre-existing agreed facilities and areas in Norway, the air stations Rygge, Evenes and Sola, as well as Ramsund naval station, this could entail a total number of twelve agreed facilities and areas under the SDCA.
In December 2023, Sweden, Denmark and Finland signed bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreements (DCAs) with the United States. The agreements, which have not yet entered into force, provide for the creation of 17 agreed facilities and areas in Sweden, 15 in Finland and three in Denmark. These DCAs are built on the same structure as the SDCA.
- This implies great potential for even stronger Nordic defence cooperation. This will strengthen Norway, the Nordic countries and NATO, says Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide.
The signed agreement will be subject to a public comment period, before it is submitted to Parliament.