IRIA News

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Defense ministers from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have agreed to begin developing a new Nordic Defense Cooperation Agreement aimed at enabling their armed forces to operate more closely across national borders and strengthening NATO’s collective defense.

The decision was reached during a two-day meeting in Oslo on November 11-12, 2026, where the five countries agreed that closer military integration requires a common legal and political framework covering peacetime, crises and war.

Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik, who hosted the meeting under Norway’s 2026 chairmanship of the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), said the countries had already made significant progress in military cooperation but could go further by removing practical obstacles to joint operations.

“The ambition is to develop a defense agreement that allows Nordic military forces to operate together even more effectively and seamlessly across national borders,” Sandvik said.

The proposed agreement is intended to complement existing NATO arrangements rather than create a separate defense structure. Danish Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus said a formal agreement would take Nordic cooperation to a new level and improve the ability of the five countries to work together within the Alliance.

Removing Legal and Operational Obstacles

A central issue discussed in Oslo was the need to harmonize national laws and regulations governing military cooperation. Although the Nordic armed forces already conduct joint exercises and operations, differences in national rules can create practical difficulties when moving personnel, equipment and military resources across borders.

The countries’ military leadership has identified these obstacles as an area where closer coordination could improve operational effectiveness. Sandvik said existing cooperation was already working well, but changes to national regulations could make it easier for the armed forces to operate together without unnecessary delays.

The agreement is expected to establish the legal basis for deeper cooperation in peace, crisis and war. It would also support the development of combined military operations, making it easier for the five countries to coordinate their forces during regional security challenges.

According to Sandvik, the five Nordic countries collectively have around 250 modern combat aircraft, nearly 145 surface vessels and approximately 100,000 military personnel in peacetime. Closer integration would allow them to make more effective use of these capabilities through coordinated planning, training and operations.

Building on NATO Integration

The initiative builds on the Nordic countries’ growing military integration within NATO. Finland joined the Alliance in April 2023, followed by Sweden in March 2024, bringing all five Nordic countries under the same collective defense framework.

Their membership has created new opportunities for regional military planning, particularly in northern Europe and the Arctic. Since December 2025, all five countries have been within the area of responsibility of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk, which oversees the Alliance’s military activities across the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

In a joint statement issued after the Oslo meeting, the defense ministers described the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter in Nordic defense cooperation. They said European NATO members were increasingly taking greater responsibility for their own security and that the Nordic countries were prepared to contribute more to the Alliance’s collective defense.

The ministers also highlighted progress under the Vision for Nordic Defense Cooperation 2030, adopted in 2024. The framework focuses on improving joint command arrangements, combined operations, military capabilities, equipment procurement and logistical support.

One of the most significant developments has been closer cooperation between the Nordic air forces, which have made substantial progress towards operating together as a more integrated force. The establishment of NATO Forward Land Forces in Finland was also identified as an important step in strengthening collective defense and developing the Alliance’s capabilities in the Arctic.

The countries have also increased cooperation on military security of supply. In 2023, they established a target to triple ammunition production capacity in the Nordic countries by 2030. The defense ministers said progress and investment were on track to meet that objective. They also welcomed the Nordic Compass initiative, which brings defense industry representatives together to support the development of regional military capabilities.

Strengthening Regional Security Amid Russian Threats

The closer cooperation comes as the Nordic countries increase their defense preparedness in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine and growing security concerns across northern Europe. Norway and Finland share land borders with Russia, while the wider region has experienced incidents involving drone intrusions and suspected sabotage of undersea cables and pipelines.

All five countries have strongly supported Ukraine through military, financial, humanitarian, and political assistance. Their joint statement described Russia’s continued war of aggression as the most pressing challenge to regional security.

The Nordic governments have also increased defense spending and strengthened military preparedness, with all five countries placing greater emphasis on their ability to defend their territories and support NATO operations. Their growing cooperation reflects a broader effort among European Allies to strengthen their own military capabilities and take greater responsibility for European security.

Russia has repeatedly denied posing a threat to its Nordic neighbors and has rejected Western accusations of hostile activity in the region.

Sweden to Take Over NORDEFCO Chairmanship in 2027

The Oslo meeting also covered civil-military cooperation and wider regional preparedness. Defense ministers met with their counterparts responsible for preparedness and civil defense under the NORDEFCO-Haga format, discussing ways to strengthen societal resilience and coordination between military and civilian authorities.

The meeting also included the Nordic chiefs of defense and General Nick Perry, Commander of NATO’s Joint Force Command Norfolk. The ministers attended the Atlantic Future Forum aboard the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, bringing together defense, security and technology leaders.

The development of the proposed defense agreement will now move into a drafting process. The initiative is intended to provide a common legal foundation for closer military integration while remaining fully aligned with NATO’s defense planning and collective security arrangements.

Sweden will assume the NORDEFCO chairmanship from Norway on 1 January 2027, taking responsibility for the next phase of the Nordic defense cooperation agenda.