Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden decided to develop a defence agreement after ministerial meetings in Oslo. The proposed framework aims to help their forces operate across borders and strengthen cooperation on equipment, procurement and industrial capacity. It builds on existing regional arrangements; a completed agreement has not been announced as signed or in force.
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden decided to develop a new defence cooperation agreement after their ministers met in Oslo on 11 and 12 November. The initiative seeks closer integration of their armed forces through a legal framework built on existing cooperation. The announced step starts development of that framework; no completed new agreement was announced as entering into force.[1], [2]
The work proceeds through Nordic Defence Cooperation, the regional framework known as NORDEFCO. Norwegian Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said the aim was to let national forces operate more effectively together across borders and strengthen collective defence. Ministers also addressed equipment, procurement, capability development and support for joint operations, alongside secure supply chains and greater defence industrial capacity.[1]
NORDEFCO was established in 2009, and Norway, Finland and Sweden added a trilateral arrangement for joint operational planning in 2020. The ministers described Russia's continuing war against Ukraine as their most pressing security challenge and reiterated political, military, financial and humanitarian support for Ukraine. The countries also have a target to triple regional ammunition production capacity by 2030; that remains a capacity goal rather than delivered output.[1]
