Norway Allows Allied Surveillance Flights from Domestic Bases

On August 18, two British surveillance aircraft—a RC-135 W Rivet Joint and a P-8 Poseidon—took off from Ørland and Evenes air bases and flew missions over the Russian Northern Fleet’s area north of the Kola Peninsula. The same day an Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) refueler operated north of Norway, and on August 20 Norwegian F-35 fighters and a P-8 Poseidon were observed over Finnmark. These flights mark the first time allied intelligence aircraft have launched from Norwegian airports to enter the eastern Barents Sea, a route previously prohibited by Norway’s self-imposed Cold-War-era restrictions.

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet

Since 1960, Norway barred foreign military aircraft from using its airfields to fly east into the Barents Sea, limiting NATO surveillance to transit over mainland Norway only as far as western Finnmark. Aircraft then had to turn north into international airspace before heading east. The policy was gradually relaxed, allowing transit over mid-Finnmark and, more recently, direct departures toward the Barents Sea. The easing has been linked to Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine and its increasingly hostile posture toward Europe.

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet

Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters, said the training involving the British aircraft was pre-planned and that “all such flights are cleared before they take place.” Defence Minister Tore O. State Secretary Marte Gerhardsen added that the Ministry is still working on the details of the policy shift and will provide further information.

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet

• “We had normal training with F-35 fighter jets. That included aerial refuelling,” — Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ)

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet

• “This is nothing special. P-8 Poseidons regularly fly over the Barents Sea,” — Vice Admiral Rune Andersen, Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ)

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet

• “We remain a predictable and responsible neighbour, committed to preserving stability and low tension in the High North.” — Defence Tore O. Sandvik

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet

• “We are working on that now. More information will come soon,” — State Secretary Marte Gerhardsen

Norway softens self-imposed restrictions on allied surveillance aircraft monitoring Russia's nuclear fleet