Canada, Norway to pursue enhanced defence pact after Ottawa picks Norwegian-German submarine

The announcement came as Støre visited Ottawa, where the two leaders issued a joint statement outlining plans to deepen cooperation across Arctic security, space, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, climate and support for Ukraine.

The 212CD submarine, jointly developed by Norway and Germany, will anchor what the joint statement called a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to deepen military, industrial and technological ties between the two countries.

The enhanced defence agreement is expected to follow the conclusion of negotiations on Canada's Patrol Submarine Project and build on an existing 2023 bilateral defence memorandum.

On Arctic security, the two governments pointed to a bilateral Arctic Dialogue established earlier this year covering surveillance, situational awareness and interoperability, along with a Canadian Coast Guard-Norwegian Coast Guard partnership signed in June under which the two services have already run joint training exercises in Arctic waters.

Polar Knowledge Canada and the Norwegian Polar Institute signed a new memorandum of understanding to expand joint research in the Arctic and Antarctic.

The Canadian Space Agency and Norwegian Space Agency finalized a separate memorandum to deepen cooperation on space-based and dual-use capabilities, a partnership reflected in new business agreements: Kongsberg and MDA Space signed an agreement on multi-domain and space-based surveillance capabilities, while Kongsberg and Telesat agreed to explore collaboration involving Telesat's Lightspeed satellite network.

On critical minerals, the Geological Survey of Canada and the Geological Survey of Norway agreed to collaborate on joint mineral mapping and the exchange of geoscientific expertise, aimed at supporting more resilient supply chains.

On Ukraine, the two leaders reaffirmed support for what they called a just and lasting peace backed by robust security guarantees. The Canadian Commercial Corporation and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency signed a letter of intent establishing a government-to-government framework for procuring military assets for Ukraine.

The two countries are also set to co-host, along with Ukraine, a ministerial conference in Toronto next week on returning Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war.

The joint statement noted that more than fifty Norwegian companies have established a long-term presence in Canada. Among recent deals cited, Kongsberg has invested $76.5 million in a Marine Innovation Simulation Centre of Excellence with the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is partnering with NAV Canada on a remote digital air traffic services project.

Norway's Equinor is also advancing the Bay du Nord offshore oil project roughly 500 kilometres off Newfoundland, in an agreement with the provincial government.

Carney and Støre also agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence, including the testing and responsible deployment of AI systems and its use in public services, building on a joint statement on sovereign technology and AI cooperation issued in March.

On climate and oceans, the two countries reaffirmed commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and Canada said it looks forward to continued collaboration with Norway as it prepares to host the 12th Our Ocean Conference in Halifax in 2027.

The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact going forward.