Nordic Countries Agree to Draft Joint Defence Agreement in Oslo

The five Nordic countries have agreed to draw up a joint Nordic defence agreement, giving their military cooperation a single legal framework for the first time, after defence ministers met in Oslo on 11-12 November 2026.

Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland will work towards establishing a common defence deal in order to boost NATO’s overall ability to deter and defend, Norway’s Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said on Thursday, 12 November.

FAKTA

• Meeting: Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) defence ministers’ meeting, Oslo, 11-12 November 2026
• Decision: Agreed on 12 November to begin developing a joint defence cooperation agreement
• Countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden
• Host: Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik
• Aim: Closer integration of the defence forces and a stronger NATO deterrent
• Joint force: About 250 modern fighter aircraft, nearly 145 surface ships and about 100,000 military personnel in peacetime
• Framework: NORDEFCO, founded in 2009; all five countries are now NATO members

What the Nordic Defence Agreement Will Cover

The cooperation will focus on command and the conduct of joint operations, capability development, materiel procurement and operational support. The agreement is also meant to clear legal barriers when allied units move troops and equipment between Arctic and Baltic borders.

The decision was announced in a joint statement at the end of the two-day ministerial meeting in Oslo. It is the first time Nordic military cooperation will have a single legal framework, building on existing commitments covering joint operations, defence procurement and industrial capacity.

Why the Nordics Are Integrating Their Forces

The nations have all been NATO members since Finland and Sweden joined the military alliance in 2023 and 2024, and have worked since then to improve their cooperation, for instance by conducting joint military and civilian preparedness exercises.

In December 2025, all the Nordic countries were brought together under NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk in Virginia, in the United States. The new agreement is intended to make that cooperation faster and more practical, so that Nordic forces can operate as one in a crisis.

Who Was at the Table in Oslo

The ministers gathered in Oslo were Jeppe Bruus of Denmark, Tore O. Sandvik of Norway, Antti Häkkänen of Finland, Pål Jonson of Sweden, and State Secretary Martin Eyjólfsson of Iceland. Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik, host of the meeting, explained the ambition behind the agreement and gave the size of the joint force: about 250 modern fighter aircraft, nearly 145 surface ships and about 100,000 military personnel in peacetime.

Conclusion

The Oslo decision marks a new stage for Nordic defence. After decades of practical cooperation through NORDEFCO, the five countries are now putting that cooperation into a formal agreement, so that their forces can move, train and operate together without legal obstacles. Drafting work begins now, with the agreement expected to strengthen both Nordic security and NATO’s northern flank.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Nordic countries agree in Oslo?

On 12 November 2026, the defence ministers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden agreed to begin developing a joint defence cooperation agreement at their NORDEFCO meeting in Oslo.

What is NORDEFCO?

Nordic Defence Cooperation, known as NORDEFCO, was established in 2009 by the five Nordic states to coordinate their defence cooperation, including joint operations, procurement and exercises.

What will the agreement cover?

Command and joint operations, capability development, materiel procurement, operational support and cross-border movement of troops and equipment, giving Nordic military cooperation a single legal framework for the first time.

How large is the joint Nordic force?

According to Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik, the five countries together have about 250 modern fighter aircraft, nearly 145 surface ships and about 100,000 military personnel in peacetime.

Are all five Nordic countries in NATO?

Yes. All five are NATO members since Finland joined in 2023 and Sweden in 2024, and in December 2025 they were all brought under NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk.

What happens next?

Drafting work on the agreement begins now, with the aim of closer integration of the five countries’ defence forces and a stronger NATO deterrent in the north.