The UK will join Norway’s program to develop offshore support ships designed to deploy unmanned minesweeping and undersea warfare systems, the Ministry of Defense said.
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According to a report from UK Defence Journalcollaboration constitutes a central element of the new Agreement Lunna Houseannounced during the Prime Minister’s visit Keir Starmer to the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre at the air base RAF Lossiemouth.
According to the UK Ministry of Defense, the agreement aims to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure in the North Atlantic, amid what it describes as a 30% increase in the number of Russian vessels detected near British waters in the last two years.
Both governments said the pact deepens long-standing cooperation and is in line with NATO priorities and provides for the “integration of the UK into the Norwegian program for the development of mother ships for unmanned minehunting and undersea warfare systems”.
The agreement also provides for the “mother ship” element, which should expand the work that both navies are already developing.
The UK is currently replacing traditional minesweepers with autonomous mine countermeasures systems operated from larger support ships, under its Mine Hunting Capability program.
The broader plan presented will require multiple hulls to act as mother ships. The agreement articulates these efforts, creating common development paths and operational concepts.
This is in addition to broader industrial and operational cooperation on frigates Type 26naval strike missiles, torpedo stocks and Arctic training.
“At this time of profound global instability, with the detection of more Russian ships in our waters, we must work with international partners to protect our national security,” stressed Prime Minister Starmer.
According to him, the agreement strengthens the United Kingdom’s defensive posture. “This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on.”
Meanwhile, the British Defense Secretary John Healey addressed the activity of combating Russian submarines. “In this new era of threats and with increased Russian activity in the North Atlantic, our strength lies in military power and strong alliances,” he declared.
“Through this Agreement Lunna Housewe will patrol the North Atlantic as one team, train together in the Arctic, and develop advanced equipment that will keep our citizens safe now and in the future.”
The agreement between the countries also directly connects to existing industrial cooperation between the British BAE Systems and the Norwegian Kongsberg Defence and Aerospacewho are exploring possible support vessel options.
One of the candidates is the concept Kongsberg Vanguardwhich offers modular compartments and launch facilities suitable for unmanned underwater systems.
Photo: Kongsberg. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
