Government of Norway

05/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/27/2026 13:00

Norway and France sign mutual defence agreement

Today, Norway and France have signed a comprehensive defence agreement under which the two countries commit to come to each other's aid should the need arise. Together with nine other European countries, Norway will also participate in a process to determine how France's nuclear weapons can contribute to security and deterrence in Europe.

'We are contending with the most serious security situation since the Second World War. The Government is pursuing a hedging strategy aimed at reinforcing the foundation that underpins Norwegian security. Membership of NATO is essential to our national security. The US is Norway's most important Ally, and we are now also forging stronger ties with the European Allies that are most important in terms of safeguarding our security. In the past six months, we have entered into defence agreements with both Germany and the UK, and I am pleased that we have signed a comprehensive defence agreement with France today,' said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Narvik Agreement

The Narvik Agreement was signed in Paris today by Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin.

The name of the agreement refers to the historical alliance between Norway and France, formed when the two countries joined forces to secure the Allies' first victory during World War II.

'The Narvik Agreement will bring new momentum to our cooperation. The agreement contains a provision on mutual defence: our two countries commit to come to each other's aid - including with military assistance - should the need arise. Besides the UK, France is the European Ally that sails most extensively in the north. The agreement reinforces our cooperation through concrete structures, plans, exercises and prepositioning of equipment, and will enable us to mount a swift and coordinated response when it is really needed,' said Mr Støre.

The agreement also provides a framework for closer cooperation on hybrid warfare, maritime security, space cooperation, cybersecurity, support to Ukraine and defence industrial cooperation.

'The Narvik Agreement is an important part of our hedging strategy. It will be a useful tool for safeguarding Norwegian defence and security interests at a time when Europe is having to strengthen its defence capabilities in order to increase its strategic autonomy,' said Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.

Nuclear deterrence

Together with nine other European countries, Norway will participate in a process related to the French nuclear initiative - 'forward deterrence' - which was launched by President Emmanuel Macron in early March this year.

'Together with some of our closest partners and Allies, Norway will be discussing in more detail how France's nuclear weapons can further enhance European security and deterrence. At this point in history, it is both right and necessary that Europe takes greater responsibility for its own security. For many years, French nuclear weapons were exclusively linked to France's own security. France is now opening up a dialogue with its close Allies on how its nuclear weapons can contribute to European security and provide a deterrent against military threats. We will hold further talks with France on how the nuclear initiative can help to achieve this,' said Mr Støre.

The defence of Norway is based on a deterrence strategy that encompasses nuclear capabilities. Since 1949, we have been a member of NATO, whose deterrence and defence posture includes nuclear weapons.

'Our deterrence will continue to be provided by NATO. The US has made it clear that its nuclear guarantee to Europe remains unchanged. French capabilities are part of NATO's overall deterrence capability. It has been important to the Government that our close European Allies have joined the French initiative and that France has consulted the US and NATO,' said Mr Støre.

The UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Greece and Norway have now joined the French nuclear deterrence initiative.

Mr Støre emphasised that the process with France does not constitute a change in Norway's nuclear weapons policy.

'There are to be no nuclear weapons on Norwegian soil in peacetime. We will also give priority to promoting arms control and non-proliferation. Closer cooperation with France in Europe and within the NATO framework could reduce the risk of other countries being tempted to develop their own nuclear weapons,' said Mr Støre.

Russian aggression

Russia's aggression and escalating rivalry between the major powers are having a profound impact on the security situation in Europe.

Norway has two strategies for dealing with this. The Government's hedging strategy involves forging stronger ties with several of Europe's leading military powers to ensure that our security is not based on a single guarantee. The National Security Strategy focuses on how to respond to an increasingly serious threat landscape by developing stronger bilateral structures and a stronger role for Europe in NATO. The agreement with France is a direct result of both of these strategies.

'The Narvik Agreement is the last in a series of bilateral defence agreements Norway has established with Europe's leading military powers: the UK, Germany and France. Together, the three agreements formalise Norway's relationship with the three largest military powers in Western Europe. These agreements quite simply make Norway safer,' said Mr Sandvik.

Meeting with the President and the Prime Minister

During his visit to Paris, Prime Minister Støre had bilateral meetings with both Prime Minster Sebastien Lecornu and President Emmanuel Macron. The topics they discussed included defence and security, the further expansion of Norwegian-French cooperation and European cooperation.

'France is a close Ally and an important partner to Norway. We cooperate closely in a wide variety of areas, including defence, security and the green transition. The strategic partnership that President Macron and I signed when he was in Norway last year paves the way for further cooperation in important areas for both countries,' said Mr Støre.

  • The purpose of the Government's hedging strategy is to reinforce the foundation that underpins Norwegian security. The US is Norway's most important Ally, but we are also forging stronger ties with the European Allies that are most important for Norwegian security.
  • In the past year, Norway has entered into bilateral defence agreements with Europe's leading military powers:
    • the Lunna House Agreement with the UK, signed on 4 December 2025;
    • the Hansa Arrangement with Germany, signed on 14 February 2026;
    • the Narvik Agreement with France, signed on 27 May 2026.
  • Norway has also entered into closer cooperation with a number of other countries:
    • An updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) on defence cooperation with Poland in September 2025.
    • Stronger defence and security cooperation between Norway and Ukraine, in April 2026, as part of a strategic partnership.
    • An updated MOU between Norway and the Netherlands in November 2025.
    • Nordic region: All the Nordic countries are now united under NATO's Joint Force Command Norfolk. Focus on integrated land and air operations in the north, military operational support and total defence cooperation. A process is underway to establish more binding defence cooperation in the Nordic region. Norway holds the presidency of NORDEFCO in 2026.
    • During Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Norway earlier this year, Norway and Canada issued a joint statement on further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in important areas such as security in the Arctic, support for Ukraine, energy, economic security and climate change, as well as key industries such as critical minerals, space and artificial intelligence.
  • The Narvik Agreement is a bilateral defence agreement between Norway and France. The name of the agreement refers to the historical alliance between Norway and France, formed when the two countries joined forces to secure the Allies' first victory during World War II. Narvik was retaken on 28 May 1940.
  • The agreement contains an important mutual defence clause that builds on, and complements, Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty.
  • The Narvik Agreement encompasses four key areas of cooperation, each of which is valuable in its own right.
  • Operational cooperation in the Arctic: France is one of the Allies that operates most extensively in our neighbouring areas in the north, and the agreement provides a framework for even closer cooperation.
  • Plans, infrastructure and prepositioning of equipment: The agreement aligns France more closely with crisis and war planning at the national and Alliance levels. The aim is to facilitate more rapid reinforcement by a vital European Ally.
  • Exercises and training: France is one of the countries whose forces exercise and train most extensively in Norway. The agreement provides a basis for establishing more predictable, more binding frameworks for this activity.
  • Defence industrial cooperation: Closer cooperation that is important in ensuring the Norwegian defence industry's relevance as a partner in the largest European defence programmes. This will enhance both preparedness and competitiveness.
  • A total of 10 countries are participating in the French nuclear deterrence initiative: France, the UK, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Greece and Norway.
  • The French initiative reflects the fact that the security situation in Europe has become more challenging. This is a new development in France's nuclear policy that highlights the European dimension. France has consulted with the US and NATO on the initiative.
  • The initiative is an example of how Europe is taking greater responsibility for its own security.
  • The dialogue on the French nuclear deterrence initiative will not alter the main features of Norwegian nuclear policy. The principle that there are to be no nuclear weapons on Norwegian soil in peacetime remains unchanged. Norway will also continue to work to promote arms control and non-proliferation.
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