The UK and Norway’s navies will be part of forces to function a mixed fleet of warships to hunt Russian submarines within the North Atlantic.
This follows a brand new defence pact between the 2 nations to guard important undersea cables which can be beneath rising risk from Moscow, amid heightened tensions following the invasion of Ukraine.
If undersea infrastructure is attacked, it may trigger ‘catastrophic disruption’ to the monetary and communications techniques the British public depends on, the Nationwide Safety Technique Committee warned in a September report.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) mentioned there was a 30% rise in Russian vessels sighted in UK waters up to now two years.
The so-called Lunna Home settlement is underpinned by a £10 billion UK-Norway warship deal signed in September and might be a significant enhance to British shipbuilding, supporting greater than 4,000 high-skilled British jobs.
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Kind 26 frigates might be constructed on the BAE Methods yard in Glasgow and can enable a fleet of no less than 13 anti-submarine ships from the UK and Norway to function collectively in northern Europe.
No less than 5 of those anti-submarine ships might be Norwegian.
These warships will monitor Russian naval actions within the waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK.
Seabed cables and pipelines important to British communications, electrical energy and gasoline networks might be defended by the warships.
The UK will be part of Norway’s programme to develop motherships for uncrewed mine looking and undersea warfare techniques beneath this new settlement.
Royal Marines might be educated in Norway to combat in sub-zero circumstances.
The 2 nations will deepen their collaboration on utilizing UK-built sting ray torpedoes, perform joint wargaming, and lead NATO’s adoption of autonomous techniques within the Excessive North.
Superior Norwegian naval strike missiles, which may take out enemy ships at ranges of greater than 100 miles, can even be adopted by the Royal Navy.
This announcement comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Retailer at RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland right this moment.
The 2 leaders might be briefed by P-8 maritime patrol crews who’ve been monitoring Russian vessels, together with the spy ship Yantar, which just lately aimed lasers at one of many plane.
Sir Keir Starmer mentioned: ‘Presently of profound international instability, as extra Russian ships are being detected in our waters, we should work with worldwide companions to guard our nationwide safety.
‘This historic settlement with Norway strengthens our capability to guard our borders and the important infrastructure our nations rely upon.
‘By joint navy co-operation within the North Atlantic, we’re boosting safety, supporting 1000’s of UK jobs, and showcasing Britain’s world-class shipbuilding on the worldwide stage.
The settlement was signed by Defence Secretary John Healey and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore Sandvik, in Downing Road.
Mr Healey mentioned: ‘On this new period of risk and with rising Russian exercise within the North Atlantic, our energy comes from onerous energy and robust alliances.
‘When our important infrastructure and waters are threatened, we step up.
‘For over 75 years, the UK and Norway have stood shoulder to shoulder on NATO’s northern flank, defending Europe and retaining our individuals protected.
‘This partnership takes us additional, making our nations safer at dwelling and robust overseas.’
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