Overview
- The agreement, signed in London on Thursday, formalizes a UK–Norway plan to protect undersea cables and pipelines and track Russian submarines and spy ships across the GIUK gap and the wider North Atlantic.
- London says the effort will field at least 13 Type 26 anti-submarine frigates backed by drones, with eight UK ships and at least five from Norway.
- Operational patrols are slated for the late 2020s or early 2030s because the new frigates have not yet entered service.
- Both countries will expand joint training, including cold‑weather preparation for Royal Marines in Norway and combined exercises employing P‑8 maritime patrol aircraft.
- UK officials cite a 30% rise in threatening Russian naval activity near British waters and incidents involving the reconnaissance ship Jantar as justification for the pact.