Germany and Norway strengthen Arctic defence and energy ties amid NATO drills
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Norway for high-level talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The visit includes discussions on energy security, defence cooperation, and a planned rocket launch at Andøya Space Port.
Later, both leaders will join Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at NATO's Cold Response exercise in Bardufoss, where over 32,500 troops from 14 alliance members and Finland are taking part.
Merz and Støre began their meetings on Andøya, an island north of the Arctic Circle. The two leaders toured the Andøya Space Port, a facility that has launched more than 700 research rockets and balloons since 1962. A test launch of Germany's Spectrum orbital rocket is scheduled there in the coming days.
Energy security was a key topic, given Norway's role as a major supplier of natural gas and oil to Germany. Merz highlighted the strong strategic ties between the two NATO allies during the discussions. The leaders also addressed defence collaboration, including Canada's possible involvement in a joint German-Norwegian submarine production programme. After their talks, they will travel to Bardufoss military base for the Cold Response exercise. British Royal Marines are among the participants, alongside 1,600 German soldiers and forces from 13 other NATO states and Finland. The exercise, running since March 3, focuses on Arctic operations and reinforces alliance readiness in the region.
The visit strengthens Germany's partnership with Norway on energy, defence, and space technology. Merz's discussions with Støre and Carney will shape future cooperation in submarine production and Arctic security. The Cold Response exercise continues with large-scale NATO involvement in northern Norway.
