Norway joins UK Naval deployment to Indo-Pacific in 2025.

According to information published by the UK government on August 6, 2024, Norway will join the UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployment to Japan and the Indo-Pacific region in 2025. This announcement was made by Defence Secretary John Healey during a meeting in London with his Norwegian counterpart, Bjørn Arild Gram.
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British frigate HMS Northumberland, the British replenishment vessel RFA Tiderace and the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl. (Picture source: Norwegian Armed Forces)

The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, will undertake a global deployment aimed at bolstering peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This deployment will include collaboration with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and other regional partners.

Norway, a key NATO ally and member of the Joint Expeditionary Force and Northern Group, will contribute two ships to the deployment, including a frigate.

Norway-United Kingdom relations

The UK and Norway maintain a robust and evolving defense relationship. This partnership is increasingly crucial in light of emerging security challenges in the Arctic and North Atlantic regions.

One significant aspect of their cooperation is the UK's new Defence Arctic Strategy, announced in Norway. This strategy aims to enhance the UK's military presence in the Arctic, focusing on protecting critical underwater infrastructure and ensuring freedom of navigation. The UK and Norway regularly participate in joint exercises, such as Exercise Cold Response, which involves extensive cold-weather training for UK Royal Marines in Norway​.

In addition to these exercises, the UK has established a new military base in Northern Norway, known as Camp Viking.

The two nations have also agreed to enhance cooperation on undersea capabilities. This partnership focuses on countering threats to undersea infrastructure, such as energy pipelines and communication cables. The collaboration includes joint anti-submarine warfare exercises and the protection of critical national infrastructure on the seabed​.