UK & Norway Form Defense Pact to Jointly Hunt Russian Submarines in North Atlantic, Protect Undersea Infrastructure

UK and Norway Forge New Defense Pact Against Russian Submarine Threat

The United Kingdom and Norway have announced a significant new defense pact aimed at bolstering security in the North Atlantic and counteracting increased Russian naval activity. Unveiled on December 4th, the agreement will see the two NATO allies jointly operate a fleet of warships specifically tasked with locating and tracking Russian submarines, alongside safeguarding vital undersea infrastructure.

Protecting Critical Undersea Infrastructure

This collaborative effort directly addresses growing concerns over the vulnerability of critical subsea cables and pipelines, which Western officials suggest are increasingly threatened by Moscow's actions. The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted a concerning trend: sightings of Russian vessels in British waters have surged by 30 percent over the past two years, underscoring the urgency of this new alliance.

Under the terms of the pact, Britain and Norway will deploy an "interchangeable" fleet of 13 British-built frigates. These advanced warships will patrol the strategic maritime expanse between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, continuously monitoring Russian naval movements. Their primary mission includes defending essential infrastructure like underwater communication cables and energy pipelines – conduits for vital communications, electricity, and gas across the region.

High-Level Commitment and Broader Context

The announcement coincided with a high-profile visit by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store to a Royal Air Force base in northern Scotland, symbolizing the joint commitment at the highest levels. Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the pact's importance, stating, "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."

This strategic move follows Norway's September announcement of its intent to purchase at least five Type-26 frigates from Britain, a deal valued at £10 billion (S$17 billion), further cementing the defense ties between the nations.

Escalating Tensions and Hybrid Warfare Concerns

Escalating tensions have been a backdrop to these developments. In November, UK Defence Minister John Healey issued a strong warning to Russia after its military ship Yantar reportedly entered British waters for the second time in 2025. Healey described an incident where the vessel allegedly directed lasers at British air force pilots as "deeply dangerous." Both Britain and its NATO allies have voiced increasing alarm regarding the risks Moscow poses to offshore infrastructure, especially after suspected sabotage incidents involving several undersea telecom and power cables in recent months.

Experts and political figures broadly accuse Moscow of orchestrating a "hybrid war" against Western nations, many of whom have provided significant support to Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. This new defense pact serves as a direct response to these evolving threats, reinforcing regional security and deterring potential acts of aggression.