U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey said the U.K. and Norwegian governments are looking to forge a new defense agreement to strengthen security in the European region.
The announcement was made during Healey’s visit to Norway, where he conferred with Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik in the High North near the Russian border.
The British defense chief said the two countries hope to create “a new era of defense partnership” for NATO to deter threats and boost security in the High North.
Lead Role in European Security
“The U.K. is determined to play a leadership role on European security, supporting the foundations for our security and prosperity at home and showing our adversaries that we are united in our determination to protect our interests,” Healey stressed.
To formulate the new defense pact, the United Kingdom said it would work to build on its long-established relationship with Norway by strengthening the armed forces, growing industrial relations, and boosting capabilities to deter common concerns, such as protecting critical undersea infrastructure.
Parallel Security Partnerships
The U.K. initiative follows the Trinity House Agreement signed with Germany in October to bolster their defense collaboration.
Later, the close U.K.-Norway partnership was demonstrated in the two nations’ agreement on counter-eavesdropping operations. The pact, which was announced during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Bergen in December, will involve research and development projects focused on advancing technical security amid an eavesdropping threat from neighboring Russia.