In a major strategic move to counter rising Russian naval activity, the United Kingdom and Norway have announced a historic agreement to combine their warship fleets. The pact, focused on the North Atlantic, aims to hunt Russian submarines and protect critical undersea infrastructure.
A New Alliance for the North Atlantic
The so-called Lunna House agreement was signed on December 4, 2025, by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore Sandvik, in Downing Street. The announcement was made as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland.
The core of the deal is a commitment for the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy to operate a joint fleet of anti-submarine warfare ships. This collaboration is a direct response to the heightened threat to seabed cables and pipelines following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A September report from the National Security Strategy Committee warned that an attack on this infrastructure could cause 'catastrophic disruption' to the UK's financial and communications systems.
The UK Ministry of Defence has reported a stark 30% increase in sightings of Russian vessels in UK waters over the past two years, underscoring the urgency of the new alliance.
Boosting Security and British Shipbuilding
The operational partnership is underpinned by a substantial £10 billion warship deal signed between the two nations in September. This investment will be a significant boost to British shipbuilding, supporting more than 4,000 high-skilled jobs in the UK.
The centrepiece of the naval build-up will be the Type 26 frigates, which will be constructed at the BAE Systems yard in Glasgow. These advanced warships will allow a combined fleet of at least 13 anti-submarine ships from both nations to operate together in northern European waters. At least five of these vessels will be Norwegian.
Their primary mission will be to monitor Russian naval movements in the key waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK – a region vital for NATO's defence.
Deepening Defence Ties and Capabilities
The agreement goes far beyond shared ship operations, marking a profound deepening of UK-Norway defence integration. Key elements of the expanded partnership include:
- The UK will join Norway's programme to develop 'motherships' for uncrewed mine-hunting and undersea warfare systems.
- Royal Marines will receive training in Norway to fight in sub-zero Arctic conditions.
- The two navies will collaborate more closely on using UK-built Sting Ray torpedoes and conduct joint wargaming exercises.
- They will jointly lead NATO's efforts to adopt autonomous military systems in the High North.
- The Royal Navy will also adopt advanced Norwegian Naval Strike Missiles, capable of hitting enemy ships at ranges exceeding 100 miles.
Prime Minister Starmer stated: "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." He emphasised that the pact strengthens border protection, supports UK jobs, and showcases British shipbuilding.
Defence Secretary John Healey added: "In this new era of threat and with increasing Russian activity in the North Atlantic, our strength comes from hard power and strong alliances... For over 75 years, the UK and Norway have stood shoulder to shoulder on NATO’s northern flank. This partnership takes us further."
The leaders were briefed at RAF Lossiemouth by crews of P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, who have been tracking Russian vessels such as the spy ship Yantar – a vessel recently accused of aiming lasers at a UK aircraft.
