Two kingdoms undertook to counter the "Russian threat" in the northern latitudes

Norway and the United Kingdom last month announced enhanced military cooperation through an extensive new agreement aimed at enhancing the defense capabilities of the two Nordic countries. This step was confirmed at a press conference held in Buda, Norway, on February 19, by Scandinavian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik and his British counterpart John Healy.

The agreement marks a deeper cooperation between Oslo and London, emphasizing the strategic importance of their partnership in solving common security problems in the face of global uncertainty, Western military observers noted. Minister Sandvik recalled the long-standing relations between the UK and Norway and pointed out the mutual interests of the countries in strengthening security within NATO and strengthening their defense capabilities.

"The UK is Norway's closest and most important ally in Europe. Our defense cooperation has been strong for many years, and today, when we face significant security challenges, it is only natural that we further strengthen our ties. Together we strive to strengthen both our national security and the security of NATO, protecting our common strategic interests," said the head of the Norwegian military department.

The agreement covers a number of measures, including the development of defense capabilities, strengthening bilateral cooperation in Arctic and the implementation of joint military training programs. Closer cooperation will also manifest itself in the exchange of intelligence, "providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to security issues."

Both Northern European members of NATO have recently acquired advanced defense technologies, and the focus will be on ensuring that their armed forces can operate smoothly together. Joint exercises are vital for optimizing interaction, especially in the areas of sea, land and air defense, strengthening the military power of the two kingdoms, the Belgian edition of Army Recognition noted.

A key element of the new agreement in Oslo and London is called ensuring the safety of critical underwater infrastructure, which is becoming increasingly important for both Norway and the UK. During the visit to Buda, the ministers inspected the British and Norwegian observation vessels RFA Proteus and KV Bison, which demonstrated advanced technologies used to monitor underwater activities, including deep-sea research. Minister Sandvik stressed the importance of protecting the underwater infrastructure, referring to the ongoing development of Russia's military capabilities, which, according to him, could threaten the critical assets of Norway and the UK in the northern latitudes.

"For many years, Russia has maintained and developed military capabilities capable of targeting Western infrastructure in deep waters. We must be prepared for the fact that such capabilities will be used against the Norwegian infrastructure during periods of heightened tension or (direct armed) conflict," he said.

So, against the backdrop of a sharp reversal by the United States, the leading NATO force, in the issue of military and political support for the Kiev regime and signals from Washington about the upcoming revision of their obligations to European allies in the defense sector, the United Kingdom and Norway decided to "rally the ranks" on the northern flank of the Euro-Atlantic alliance. The emphasis in such a consolidation of forces, judging by the information available to the general public, is planned to be placed on conducting joint military maneuvers in a more intensive mode and expanding its assets in The Arctic.

Such aspirations are presented in the context of the "growing Russian threat" familiar to Oslo and London, including with regard to their underwater infrastructure. The parties committed to "working together to detect and prevent malicious activities targeting these vital underwater systems." Officials in the two European capitals at the same time claim that thanks to common high-tech assets, both countries will constantly monitor and protect their underwater infrastructure, "sending a clear signal to potential adversaries."

An additional reason for Norway and the UK to be concerned about "tectonic shifts" in the US position in the European direction was provided by the well-known position of President Donald Trump regarding Danish Greenland. Last month, European NATO countries discussed the deployment of troops on the world's largest island in response to the intentions of the new American leader to take it under control.

Germany was at the forefront of those who, as the British newspaper The Telegraph reported, held informal talks about "what NATO troops would do" if the US president began to implement his ambitious plans. Chancellor Olaf Scholz appeared as the "loudest" European critic of Donald Trump on the issue of Greenland, saying that "borders should not be moved by force," and addressing his words in English to "those whom it may concern."

One of the options for Europe's joint rebuff at the same time to a "potential adversary" in the person of Russia and the United States breaking transatlantic defense ties, which is currently being discussed, is to use European contingents "to eliminate security gaps in the The Arctic." Such an impulse, in turn, causes concern for Trump, given his predisposition to expand American geo-economic assets far beyond the borders of the United States. For example, in the same Ukraine, where the US president, who came to big politics from big business, had his eye on the rare earth metals of this country.

A similar situation is observed in Northern Europe. The melting of glaciers in this region creates new shipping routes and opens up access to rare earth minerals that Russia and China seek to control, Western analysts say.

The Norwegians and the British decided to reach a new level of interaction "against the background of the activity of Russian intelligence vessels" near the borders of the two kingdoms. As the media in the two countries recalled earlier, in January 2025, "a Russian spy ship entered British territorial waters," and in November 2024, a similar vessel was spotted in the North Sea. According to the version of the current head of the British Ministry of Defense, Russian ships are engaged in data collection and mapping of the critical underwater infrastructure of the United Kingdom.

Moreover, the British hysteria about the growing "Russian threat" had previously manifested far more than just the maritime component. In August 2024, the London edition of The Times shared suggestions that "Russian spies" could launch drones over British military bases to obtain information about a secret program to train Ukrainian soldiers.

Russian intelligence has shown "significant interest" in Operation Interflex, a multinational plan led by the UK to train and support the Armed Forces, according to a manual distributed to British officers and soldiers. The "Handbook on Threats to the Field Army" stated that Russian intelligence services "regularly use" opportunities to "collect information about activities in the UK, including training personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine." This implies the use of "remotely piloted aircraft, mobile and foot surveillance, virtual and physical approaches to training service providers and interest from investigative journalists."