UK and Norway host Atlantic Future Forum, urge defence industry ramp-up
The United Kingdom and Norway co-hosted the Atlantic Future Forum 2026 in Oslo on 11 and 12 November, bringing together representatives from 30 countries across Europe and the Atlantic. The event was held aboard HMS Prince of Wales, following the carrier's participation in NATO's Arctic Sentry.
More than 50 political and military leaders, government officials and industry figures spoke at the forum. Discussions centred on shared security in the Arctic and High North.
Industrial and technology priorities
The co-hosts' statement says greater European responsibility for security must be backed by sustained investment and stronger industrial and technological partnerships. Participants endorsed the need to:
- ramp up production
- accelerate innovation
- give industry clear signals and support to invest
- strengthen the European defence industrial base and support NATO requirements
- enable start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside traditional primes, to bring new technology into capability faster
Participants also agreed on the value of sharing tactical and operational experience of modern warfare, including total defence and technological innovation, and applying lessons from Ukraine to future capability development.
Security context
The statement reaffirms NATO as the foundation of collective security and calls for a stronger Europe within a stronger NATO. It describes Russian aggression as a growing and evolving threat and commits participants to continued support for Ukraine.
It also points to national resilience as a core part of deterrence, including protecting critical infrastructure and strengthening cooperation across government, industry and civil society. Maritime security and international law at sea, as set out in UNCLOS, were agreed to be essential to Euro-Atlantic security and prosperity.
The statement notes the signing of the Northern Navies Framework by the Joint Expeditionary Force Naval Chiefs on 10 November as an example of this cooperation.
Source: GOV.UK investment zones · Image: Pixabay