Danish-Norwegian defense alliance for armament

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre have agreed on a new defense cooperation to strengthen their military capabilities and speed up armament. In an interview, Frederiksen stated the importance of intensifying collaboration within Scandinavia despite being small countries on their own. The specifics of the defense collaboration, which will include operational capacities, surveillance, and broader defense policy, will be presented in spring. The cooperation may cover joint military training, collective procurement, and acquiring the right equipment, such as maintenance for F35 jets. Both countries also aim to boost their military industry and explore collaborative opportunities between their respective industries and research environments. Frederiksen anticipates heightened tension in the Arctic, an area where Denmark and Norway could jointly monitor, and acknowledges Norway’s strength in defense production. She foresees challenges in fulfilling the demand for defense purchases despite the willingness to invest more, which the partnership with Norway could help ameliorate.