UK and Norway to collaborate on subsea threats

The Statement of Intent (SOI) was signed by the NATO allies’ respective defence secretaries at NATO’s Maritime Operations Centre in Northwood, London on May 18. According to the MOD, the two countries will work together on protecting critical energy infrastructure, anti-submarine warfare and subsea protection.

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Though Russia was not mentioned by name by either party, there is increasing concern that the North Atlantic and its subsea infrastructure could become a target as Moscow and the West face off over the war in Ukraine. Both defence ministers pointed to the Nord Stream attacks as evidence that subsea attacks are now a more prevalent threat.  

“Cooperating through the JEF (Joint Expeditionary Force) and the Northern Group with our long-standing defence partner and NATO ally Norway, we are heightening our joint capabilities to protect Western critical national infrastructure on the seabed,” said Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace.

“The attack on the Nord Stream pipeline has determined even closer collaboration across our collective assets to detect and defend against subsea threats and ensure continued North Atlantic security.”

Norway and the UK have a bilateral defence relationship that dates back over 50 years. As well as working closely within the JEF and Northern Group, the two countries have also the JEF and the Northern Group, the two have collaborated on key shared capabilities such as P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and F-35s. 

“It is important that democracies like the UK and Norway stand together when the rules based international order is under pressure,” said Norwegian Defence Minister, Bjørn Arild Gram.

“The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines last year, is a concrete reminder of what is at stake here. By working together, we can improve our ability to detect submarines, to counter mine threats and to protect critical infrastructure on the seabed.

Earlier this year, the UK also announced the arrival of a new sub-sea protection vessel, RFA Proteus, into Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, where it has been undergoing a period of refit. The 98-metre-long offshore patrol vessel will act as a mother ship, operating remote and autonomous offboard systems for underwater surveillance and seabed warfare.