'Hansa Arrangement': Norway, Germany sign defense pact to deepen military cooperation

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - Norway and Germany signed a wide-ranging defense agreement on Saturday aimed at strengthening European security cooperation within NATO.

The accord, dubbed the “Hansa Arrangement,” was signed by Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

"Strong European cooperation is essential to fulfilling NATO’s burden-sharing commitments, where Europe must assume a greater share of responsibility for its own security," said Sandik.

Germany, he added, "is one of Norway’s most important allies in Europe and our key partner in the EU. Now, we are taking our close and robust cooperation a step further."

The deal covers five key areas: space-based surveillance, maritime security, land warfare, rapid reinforcement capabilities and defense industry cooperation.

European leaders have increasingly emphasized defense autonomy in recent months amid signals from Washington urging allies to shoulder more of the security burden.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a speech at the conference that Washington seeks “to revive old friendships,” while European officials stress stronger regional capabilities.

Norway’s parliament, Stortinget, recently approved the acquisition of two additional submarines, bringing the total to six. Once delivered, Norway and Germany will each operate six identical 212CD​​​​​​​ submarines. The countries are also collaborating on the development of next-generation long-range maritime missiles (3SM).

Meanwhile, Germany’s forces regularly train and exercise in Norway, including during the upcoming winter exercise Cold Response 26.

Separately, Oslo has ordered 54 German-made Leopard 2 tanks, some of which will be produced in Norway, while Berlin has purchased Norwegian-developed JSM missiles worth about 6.5 billion kroner (over $683 million) for its F-35 fighter jets.

The partnership also extends into space cooperation. Norway’s Andoya Spaceport and German aerospace technology are expected to play a central role in plans to develop Europe’s first commercial satellite launch base.