Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the submarine initiative as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to establish a strategic partnership. The two governments expect it to deepen military, industrial and technological cooperation, although negotiations under the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project have yet to be concluded.
Once those negotiations are completed, Canada and Norway intend to pursue an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement covering the next phase of their relationship. The planned accord would build on a bilateral defence memorandum signed in 2023 and give the countries a framework for closer cooperation beyond the submarine project.
Norwegian defence group Kongsberg, a contributor to the Type 212CD combat management system, is already increasing its presence in Canada. The company has invested C$76.5 million in a Marine Innovation Simulation Centre of Excellence established with the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Kongsberg has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada’s OSI Maritime Systems to advance Canadian maritime capabilities. While the joint statement did not identify specific programmes, the agreement adds another industrial link to a relationship increasingly focused on naval systems and operations in northern waters.
Shipbuilding represents a further pillar of cooperation between the two maritime and Arctic nations. Norway’s VARD and its Canadian subsidiary Vard Marine bring experience in designing icebreakers and other ice-capable vessels intended for demanding polar environments.
Vard Marine supplied the original designs for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships and for one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s polar icebreakers. Its wider portfolio includes what the two leaders described as the world’s most recently delivered icebreaker.
The industrial initiatives are being matched by closer operational cooperation in the Arctic, which both governments regard as integral to national security. Canada and Norway are establishing a bilateral Arctic Dialogue focused on strategic surveillance, situational awareness, interoperability, and research and development.
Their coast guards are already conducting joint training in Canadian and Norwegian Arctic waters under a partnership agreement signed in June 2026. The cooperation is intended to strengthen the countries’ ability to operate together as security challenges in the region continue to evolve.
Space technology is emerging as another significant part of the relationship. Canada and Norway are working to improve interoperability between their satellite systems and demonstrate responsive space capabilities by combining national assets and technical expertise.
The Canadian Space Agency and the Norwegian Space Agency have finalised an agreement covering space-based and dual-use capabilities supporting Arctic and northern requirements. It is also intended to improve information sharing and coordination among government agencies, research institutions and industry.
Kongsberg and Canada’s MDA Space are developing a parallel industrial partnership focused on multi-domain capabilities and space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The proposed work includes solutions for maritime situational awareness in the Arctic.
Kongsberg is also exploring cooperation with Canada’s Telesat around its Lightspeed low-Earth-orbit satellite system. The companies will assess the integration of satellite connectivity into intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and other applications.
Canada and Norway are extending their defence industrial relationship to military procurement for Ukraine. The Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency have finalised a partnership designed to support the acquisition of military equipment for Kyiv.
The two governments also reaffirmed plans to work with partners on military assistance and robust security guarantees for Ukraine, alongside sanctions and measures targeting Russia’s shadow fleet. The initiatives were announced in a joint statement following the two prime ministers’ meeting in Ottawa on 20 September.
