Nordic declaration on cross-border airspace cooperation signed

News story | Date: 10/07/2024 | Ministry of Defence

‘The membership of all the Nordic countries in NATO opens the door to even closer cooperation. There is a need for more airspace to conduct Allied training and exercises. The Nordic countries have a lot to offer in this context. We have large airspace, a considerable fifth generation capability with our fleet of F-35s, and we have the infrastructure needed. It is against this backdrop that Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland have signed a declaration to further develop Nordic cooperation to make Nordic airspace available to NATO activities,’ said Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram.

Norway, Finland, Sweden, and other countries signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) regarding multinational solutions to make a larger part of national airspace available for NATO at the Defence Ministers’ meeting in October 2023.

The main purpose of the declaration is to enhance the value of Nordic cooperation and integration as an integral part of NATO capabilities. The declaration highlights the important role that further integration can play in Nordic cooperation in general, and the establishes that the Nordic countries will now work together to further develop existing cooperation to meet the growing needs of the Alliance.

‘The declaration may lead to increased Allied activity in Norwegian airspace in the future, which means it will be necessary to review and update our host-nation support and framework for cross-border activities. It is essential that Norway retains control of Allied activities within its areas, and all future solutions will be decided at the national level,’ said Mr Gram.