Norway's Defense Ministry announced that it and the United States have signed an agreement allowing Washington and "other allied forces" to use eight more facilities on the territory of the Nordic country, in addition to the four previously agreed locations, for military purposes.
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| Norwegian and US troops during a joint training exercise in Norway, February 2016. (Source: USMC) |
In a statement on February 2, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense emphasized: “The agreement confirms the intention to establish eight additional agreed facilities and areas in Norway... These locations can be used by Norway, the United States and other allied forces for a number of military purposes.”
The agreement was signed by Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram and US Ambassador to Norway Marc Nathanson.
This is an amendment to the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA) ratified in June 2022.
The new facilities agreed include several aircraft maintenance sites and airfields, a garrison and cave complex, as well as a fuel station and naval base.
The agreement will have to undergo a public consultation period before being submitted to the Norwegian Parliament for approval.
In December 2023, Sweden, Denmark and Finland signed similar defense cooperation agreements with the US, covering a total of 35 facilities and areas, but they have yet to enter into force.
Since joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, Norway, which shares a border with Russia, has said it will not allow other countries to establish military bases or store nuclear weapons on its territory during peacetime. However, Norway has welcomed troops from Western countries for exercises.
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