Norway and USA Expand Military Cooperation with Additional Facilities

Norway and the United States have signed an amendment agreement under the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA), signaling their intent to establish eight additional agreed facilities and areas in Norway for military purposes. Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram and U.S. Ambassador to Norway Marc Nathanson signed the agreement. Pending approval from the Norwegian Parliament, these sites can be utilized by Norway, the United States, and other allied forces.

The move aims to strengthen the security relationship between the two nations in response to the evolving security environment. Norway views the United States as its closest ally, and their cooperation has spanned over 75 years. The agreement builds upon the SDCA approved by the Norwegian Parliament in June 2022.

The proposed new facilities and areas include air stations, airfields, naval stations, garrisons, firing ranges, exercise areas, and a fuel terminal. Combined with existing facilities, this expansion could result in a total of twelve agreed facilities and areas under the SDCA in Norway.

Additionally, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland have signed bilateral Defense Cooperation Agreements with the United States, opening the possibility for even stronger Nordic defense cooperation and bolstering NATO's regional presence. The signed agreement will undergo a public comment period before being submitted to the Norwegian Parliament for approval.