Norway and Germany sign bilateral defence agreement to industrial cooperation

Defence ministers from Norway and Germany signed a new bilateral defence agreement on Saturday aimed at strengthening cooperation.

According to a statement from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, stronger European cooperation is essential to meeting Nato burden-sharing commitments, with Europe expected to assume a greater share of responsibility for its own security.

- Germany is one of Norway’s most important allies in Europe and our key partner in the EU. We are now taking our close and robust cooperation a step further, said Norway’s defence minister, Tore O. Sandvik.

To advance priorities

A central element of the agreement is a strengthened industrial partnership between the two countries.

In a joint declaration the two governments highlighted plans to deepen cooperation in the land domain, including mutual support within their respective Nato regional defence plans.

- We have instructed our ministers of defence to advance these priorities through a new bilateral defence agreement, providing a long-term framework for the German-Norwegian defence partnership, the statement said.

Ministers for industry and energy have also been tasked with renewing dialogue to enhance resilience and competitiveness.

Beyond defence industrial cooperation, the updated strategic industry and energy partnership will cover energy supply and security, decarbonisation and climate initiatives, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, critical minerals, maritime infrastructure, economic security and digitalisation.

- We are committed to advancing existing cooperation between German and Norwegian businesses and industry, the statement added.

Forsters industrial coorporation

Last year, Norway was the second-largest importer of defence materiel after Ukraine, procuring equipment worth up to €1.4 billion (approximately NOK 16 billion). 

This investment fosters industrial cooperation and supports jobs and value creation in Norway. 

One example is that the Norwegian company Ritek based in Trøndelag in the middle of Norway, will assemble 37 of the 54 Leopard 2 main battle tanks that Norway has ordered from the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann.

Norwegian and German industries are also advancing joint technology projects in the space domain.

- Space capabilities are increasingly vital to military operations. Andøya Spaceport plays a central role in Norway’s space strategy and holds significant potential for Germany’s launch activities, Sandvik highlighted.