The United Kingdom and Norway will sign a defense agreement allowing the two countries to operate a joint fleet of frigates to counter Russian underwater threats in the North Atlantic, according to the UK government’s website.
The agreement comes during Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre’s visit on Thursday, December 4, to the Royal Air Force base at Lossiemouth in the UK.
Under the new “Lunna House Agreement,” the Royal Navy of the UK and the Royal Norwegian Navy will operate an interchangeable fleet of British-built Type 26 frigates. This move comes in response to a 30% increase over the past two years in Russian vessels threatening UK waters, the press release notes.
The agreement plans for a joint fleet of anti-submarine Type 26 frigates, consisting of eight British and at least five Norwegian ships.
“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. This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on,” said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Type 26 frigates will patrol a strategically important area between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, monitoring Russian naval activity and protecting critical infrastructure, including undersea cables and pipelines that provide vital communications, electricity, and gas.
The navies of both countries will operate as a single unit, sharing maintenance, technology, and equipment to create truly interchangeable forces capable of rapid deployment when needed, the statement said.
“Through this Lunna House Agreement, we will patrol the North Atlantic as one, train together in the Arctic, and develop the advanced equipment that will keep our citizens safe now and into the future. We are stepping up on European security and delivering on our NATO-first plan,” said UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
