Norway and Germany have established a new working group to advance bilateral cooperation in space, with officials from both countries signing a mandate during a meeting in Tromsø.
The Potomac Officers Club will host the 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30, where Air Force and Space Force priorities take center stage alongside discussions on advanced technologies and evolving threats in the space domain. Register today.
What Are the Priorities of the Working Group?
The effort aims to coordinate activities between the two countries as they align on shared space objectives. The group will explore collaboration on satellite launches, space-based surveillance and secure communications, areas seen as critical as satellites support functions such as emergency preparedness and security initiatives like the EU’s Secure Connectivity program. Norway, along with Iceland, joined the program in March.
Why Is the Norway-Germany Partnership Significant?
According to Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, space capabilities play a critical role in communication and situational awareness. She noted that closer cooperation with Germany is expected to support Europe’s ability to manage and safeguard critical space assets.
German Minister of Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär described the agreement as a move to strengthen Europe’s position in the global space race and support space sovereignty through cooperation based on shared values.
How Does the Working Group Build on Existing Agreements?
Norway and Germany continue to expand cooperation across defense and space, with the working group building on existing ties. The effort follows a March 13 agreement between Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Andøya.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts such as the Hansa Arrangement formalized in February 2026, which outlines collaboration across multiple domains, including space-based capabilities. It also complements recent actions, including Norway’s $695 million deal to support Germany-led air defense efforts for Ukraine and a $646.1 million contract for Germany to acquire Joint Strike Missiles from Norway.
