In response to the growing threat from the Russian navy, the UK and Norway have signed a historic defense agreement that will create a joint fleet to track and counter Russian submarines in the North Atlantic. Announced on December 3, 2025, the Lunna House agreement — named after the Scottish base of the Norwegian resistance during World War II — strengthens NATO’s northern flank and protects critical underwater infrastructure. It is a move that, according to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, “strengthens our ability to protect the borders and infrastructure on which our countries depend.”
The pact is based on a £10 billion (approximately $13 billion) deal signed in September 2025, under which Norway will purchase at least five Type 26 frigates, the most advanced British anti-submarine warfare ships. These ships, being built at the BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow, will form a joint fleet of 13 vessels: eight British and at least five Norwegian. The frigates will operate on an “interchangeable basis,” patrolling the strategically important “GIUK gap” — the waters between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK.
Type 26 vessels are equipped with acoustically quiet hulls, towed sonars for detection at distances of up to 150 km, torpedo systems, and radars for multi-purpose defense. They not only hunt submarines but also protect submarine cables and pipelines that transport communications, electricity, and gas—key arteries of the European economy.
The signing took place during a visit by Prime Ministers Keir Starmer and Jonas Gahr Støre to the Royal Air Force base in Scotland, where P-8 Poseidon crews spoke about tracking Russian vessels.
The decision to combine the fleets was prompted by a sharp increase in Russian naval activity. Over the past two years, the number of Russian vessels spotted in British waters has increased by 30%. In November 2025, the Russian reconnaissance ship Yantar entered British waters for the second time in a year, blinding patrol aircraft pilots with lasers — a “deeply dangerous” incident, according to Defense Minister John Healy.
Experts accuse Moscow of waging a “hybrid war”: sabotaging undersea cables and pipelines, such as the incidents in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Russia has one of the largest submarine fleets — about 64 active units, including nuclear ones, based in Murmansk. These threats are particularly relevant against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, where NATO is strengthening its northern flank to prevent Russian submarines from breaking through to the Atlantic.
This agreement is part of a broader UK strategy to rebuild alliances in Europe, including pacts with Germany and France. It strengthens NATO interoperability, enabling joint operations without delay, and lays the foundation for the integration of autonomous systems in Arctic waters. For Norway, which borders Russia, this is key to controlling the 2 million km² area of responsibility where Russia’s Northern Fleet is active.
Experts note that Type 26 frigates will “close off escape routes” for Russian submarines, making the North Atlantic less permeable. However, challenges remain: Russia may respond with escalation, and construction of the first ships will not begin until 2029–2030.
Lunna House is not just a deal for ships, but a signal to Moscow that NATO will not back down. As Starmer noted, “in an era of global instability, we must work with partners to protect national security.” The combined efforts of Britain and Norway not only strengthen defense but also stimulate the economy, demonstrating how strategy and industry go hand in hand. In 2025, as Russian submarines increasingly go hunting, this alliance becomes a shield for Europe. Stay tuned for developments: the first patrols of the joint fleet are already on the horizon.