Britain and Norway have signed a new defense agreement to counter Russia’s increasing presence in the Arctic, with a focus on securing critical infrastructure and strengthening military cooperation, Politico reported on February 20.
A New Era of Military Partnership
British Defence Secretary John Healey and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik met at Norway’s Joint Headquarters in Bodø, marking the first-ever bilateral defense agreement between the two nations.
The agreement aims to enhance security in the High North, particularly around undersea cables, which have become vulnerable to sabotage attempts since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
European officials have raised concerns over Russian ships moving through the region, fearing that they are targeting critical infrastructure, including underwater communication lines in the Baltic Sea.
Speaking on the partnership, Healey praised Norway as one of the UK’s closest allies, stating: "We will create a new era of defense partnership that will bring us closer together than ever before as we tackle growing threats, strengthen NATO, and enhance our security in the High North."
He also emphasized Britain’s commitment to playing a leading role in European security, warning potential adversaries: "We are united in our determination to defend our interests."
The agreement comes at a time when tensions between NATO and Russia are at their highest in years. Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Russia holds leverage over negotiations due to its control of 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
