Iceland and Germany to Enhance Defense Cooperation
In October, Iceland's Minister of Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and Germany's Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent on strengthened defense cooperation in Reykjavik. Pistorius, who visited the island for the first time, emphasized the region's significance to NATO and Germany's commitment to increasing engagement there. (Photo: Bundeswehr/Christoph Kassette)
Iceland and Germany recently signed a letter of intent on increased defense cooperation. "We are ready to assume greater responsibility for stability and security in the High North," says the German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius.
Iceland and Germany are moving toward a significant expansion of their cooperation on defense and security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. The backdrop is the threat from Russia, writes the German Ministry of Defense.
Recently, the Icelandic Defense Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (Liberal Reform Party) and the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) signed a letter of intent on strengthened defense cooperation in both depth and breadth.
The agreement particularly focuses on further cooperation for strengthened surveillance and situational awareness at sea and in the air, especially in the North Atlantic region.
To put this into practice, Germany will increase its military presence in Iceland.
"We are ready to assume greater responsibility for stability and security in the High North. The German Navy will deploy its frigates, submarines and new maritime patrol aircraft for situational awareness in the North Atlantic," says Pistorius.
More specifically, he outlines plans to utilize Iceland's modern port infrastructure, its local logistics and supply opportunities, as well as Keflavík Air Station.
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More about the agreement
"The letter of intent will improve effectiveness and efficiency, strengthen interoperability and develop a shared understanding, in support of NATO's deterrence and defense," states Gunnarsdottir.
In addition to increased cooperation on situational awareness, Iceland and Germany aim to strengthen strategic dialogue within security and defense, joint ability for strategic foresight and information-sharing on all levels, as well as coordination of military and non-military activities to detect and deter potential hostile actions.
Cooperation in the fields of host country support and military mobility, as well as training and exercising, are also central aspects of the agreement.
The countries will also explore opportunities for cooperation in a range of areas. For example, innovation and technology, defense strategic planning and capacity development, cyber security, as well as armament and the acquisition of defense-related technology and materiel.
