The defence ministers of the Nordic countries, meeting in Oslo on 11-12 November 2026, agreed to begin drafting a formal Nordic Defence Cooperation Agreement to provide a legal framework for deeper military collaboration.
NORDEFCO held a ministerial meeting in Oslo on 11 and 12 November 2026, bringing together Nordic defence ministers to review progress and set new directions for regional defence cooperation. The ministers agreed to launch the process of developing a Nordic Defence Cooperation Agreement, which they said would give the necessary legal basis to advance joint military activities and align fully with NATO efforts.
The first day of the meeting included the Nordic Chiefs of Defence and General Nick Perry, Commander of Joint Force Command Norfolk, under which all Nordic nations are now grouped. A NORDEFCO-Haga session also took place, where Nordic defence ministers met counterparts from Nordic ministries responsible for preparedness and civil defence to discuss ways to strengthen civil-military cooperation and societal resilience.
Ministers noted progress on several fronts since the Vision for Nordic Defence Cooperation 2030 was signed in 2024. The Nordic Air Forces have advanced their capacity to operate together, and the establishment of NATO Forward Land Forces in Finland was highlighted as a milestone for collective defence and Arctic capability development in the region.
On ammunition, the ministers recalled a 2023 target to triple Nordic production capacity by 2030 and stated that investments are on track to meet that goal. They also welcomed the Nordic Compass initiative, which brings together industry to support the building of Nordic defence capabilities.
The ministers also participated in the Atlantic Future Forum held aboard HMS Prince of Wales, which gathered defence, security and technology leaders. Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine was described as the most pressing security challenge, and the ministers reaffirmed continued political, military, financial and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
Source: government.is
