BRITISH and Norwegian navies will hunt down Russian submarines together, as the threat of war continues to escalate across Europe.
The first-of-its-kind defence pact will be signed today at Downing Street, as part of a £10 billion warship deal between the UK and Norway.
The agreement is aimed at protecting critical undersea cables in the North Atlantic which are under increasing threat from Moscow.
The Ministry of Defence revealed there has been a 30 percent rise in Russian vessels sighted in UK waters in the past two years.
The UK and its Nato allies have become increasingly concerned about the risk Moscow poses to underwater cables and pipelines, amid heightened tensions following the invasion of Ukraine.
Attacks on undersea infrastructure could cause “catastrophic disruption” to the financial and communications systems Britons rely on, the National Security Strategy Committee warned in a September report.
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The announcement comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosts his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Støre at RAF Lossiemouth in northern Scotland on Thursday.
The two leaders will hear from P-8 maritime patrol crews who have been tracking Russian vessels including the spy ship Yantar, which recently pointed lasers at one of the aircraft.
Sir Keir said: “At this time of profound global instability, as more Russian ships are being detected in our waters, we must work with international partners to protect our national security.
“This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on.
“Through joint navy co-operation in the North Atlantic, we’re boosting security, supporting thousands of UK jobs, and showcasing Britain’s world-class shipbuilding on the global stage.”
The Lunna House agreement is to be signed by Defence Secretary John Healey and his Norwegian counterpart Tore Sandvik today.
It will also see the UK join Norway’s programme to develop motherships for uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems.
Royal Marines will be trained in Norway to fight in sub-zero conditions, and the two countries will deepen their collaboration on using UK-built sting ray torpedoes, carry out joint wargaming and lead Nato’s adoption of autonomous systems in the High North.
The Royal Navy will also adopt advanced Norwegian naval strike missiles, which can take out enemy ships at ranges of more than 100 miles.
As part of the landmark £10 billion deal signed in September, Oslo agreed to buy at least five British sub-hunting frigates and will share ships and crews with the Royal Navy.
It is Norway’s biggest ever defence deal, and the first time Britain has sold new warships for more than half a century.
Defence Secretary John Healey said eight British frigates would be working with Norway’s new ships as a joint fleet.
He said: “This deal will create a combined Norwegian-UK submarine hunting fleet to strengthen Nato’s northern flank.
“Young people at school today in Norway and the UK will have the chance to crew together on these ships.”
He also noted that HMS Glasgow, the first of the Type 26 warships, would enter British Navy service with Norwegian sailors on board.