U.S. Media: Germany and Norway Accelerate Deepening Defense Cooperation

Reference News Network reported on November 2 According to the U.S. Defense News weekly website on October 30, German tank manufacturer KNDS Defense Systems and Norway's Kongsberg Group have begun production of the Leopard 2A8 main battle tank in Norway, adding a land industrial foothold to the security partnership between the two countries that covers submarines, missiles, and military operations in the Nordic region.

KNDS Defense Systems stated that the production line was launched on October 15 in Løvenstad, Norway. Of the 54 new tanks procured by the Norwegian Army, 37 will be manufactured here. The factory has an annual production capacity of up to 36 tanks.

This industrial cooperation is part of a deep cooperation framework formally established by the two governments through the comprehensive Hansa Agreement in February this year. Minutes released by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense indicate that the agreement focuses on areas including maritime operations, multi-domain land warfare, rapid reinforcement, defense industry, as well as space-based surveillance, target guidance, and communication.

The ongoing submarine cooperation is the most direct example of how equipment procurement connects the militaries and security strategies of the two countries. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense stated that both countries plan to each acquire six identical Type 212CD submarines, along with personnel training, and to establish a new maintenance facility near Bergen, Norway. The two sides are also jointly developing the next generation of supersonic maritime strike missiles.

Although industrial cooperation is the cornerstone of the relationship, the collaboration between the two countries is no longer limited to equipment procurement. The German government stated that in March this year, Germany sent approximately 1,800 soldiers to participate in Norway's "Cold Response" military exercise.

Researchers at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs summarized in an assessment report in December 2024 that the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022 accelerated the deepening of the long-standing partnership between Germany and Norway.

The German military is seeking to play a larger role in the North Atlantic. For example, the newly deployed P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is responsible for patrolling the so-called "Greenland-Iceland-UK Gap"—a vital route for Russian nuclear submarines entering the open Atlantic. Defense News previously reported that German Defense Minister Pistorius stated that this aircraft type will rely on air force bases in Norway and Iceland to carry out this mission. (Translated by Xu Yanhong)