UK, Norway eye joint naval fleet to track Russian submarines

The United Kingdom and Norway are set to sign the Lunna House Agreement, establishing a joint naval fleet to track Russian submarines in the North Atlantic and protect critical underwater infrastructure.

The fleet will consist of at least 13 anti-submarine vessels built under the Type 26 program, including five Norwegian ships, Caliber.Az reports, citing a British newspaper.

The vessels will monitor Russian movements between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK, while safeguarding key undersea communications, power, and gas infrastructure, the paper says.

The agreement, to be signed by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik, also allows the UK to join Norway’s program to develop ships capable of deploying unmanned systems for mine detection and underwater warfare.

The pact includes joint Arctic training, the use of unmanned systems, Sting Ray torpedoes, and Norwegian cruise missiles. According to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Defence Secretary John Healey, the initiative strengthens national security, NATO, and the protection of critical infrastructure amid the growing threat from Russia.

The article adds that the UK and its NATO allies have become increasingly concerned about the risk Moscow poses to underwater cables and pipelines, amid heightened tensions following the invasion of Ukraine.

By Khagan Isayev