The United Kingdom and Norway have signed a new agreement to expand naval cooperation, with a focus on the joint operation of military helicopters.
The pact allows British aircraft to use Norwegian ships and bases, deepening integration between the British Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy in strategic areas such as the High North and the North Atlantic.
Signed in Oslo by the naval chiefs of the two countries, the understanding complements the “Lunna House” defense agreement, signed in December, which provides for greater maritime integration, collaboration in the development of future frigates and joint advances in autonomous systems. The new measure also seeks to overcome an operational limitation in Norway, whose frigates currently sail without helicopters on board.
In practice, British helicopters will be able to operate from Norwegian Navy and Coast Guard ships, in addition to remaining deployed at bases in the country. According to Norwegian authorities, the presence of these aircraft will strengthen the response capacity in joint exercises and missions, increasing interoperability between forces.
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The cooperation continues the experience of Operation Highmast, in 2025, when the frigate KNM Roald Amundsen served for eight months with the strike group on the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. Since then, Wildcat helicopters have once again been deployed to Norway and will participate in Exercise Cold Response 26, consolidating an integration that tends to become routine between the two navies.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: @RoyalNavy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
