LONDON – In a move to enhance maritime security, the United Kingdom and Norway have announced plans to conduct joint naval patrols. These efforts aim to safeguard undersea cables from potential Russian threats, as discussed in defense talks between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The UK government has revealed that a fleet comprising at least 13 warships will be deployed. This fleet is tasked with tracking Russian submarines and defending vital infrastructure across the North Atlantic.

This initiative builds on a substantial agreement reached in August, wherein Norway committed to purchasing a minimum of five British-built frigates, amounting to a deal worth 10 billion pounds ($13.4 billion). These Norwegian frigates, alongside eight British ships, will collaborate in operations along NATO’s northern perimeter.

As per the terms of the agreement, which was officially signed in London by the defense ministers from both nations, the UK has consented to incorporate Norwegian missiles into its Royal Navy surface fleet.

Starmer and Støre were scheduled to hold talks at the U.K. prime minister’s residence at 10 Downing St. before visiting British and Norwegian personnel at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, where they will meet aircraft crews that have been tracking Russian vessels. Britain says Russian naval activity around U.K. waters has increased by 30% in the past two years.