Norway & Russia update agreement to avoid dangerous aircraft, warship encounters
Increased military activities up north by both nations make it important to have good mechanisms to ensure that episodes do not create misunderstandings or unpredictable escalations.
In closest pass, a small second or two of wrong navigation could cause uncomfortable situations in the cockpit or in worst case an accident. Intentions by the opponent are easily misunderstood.
On Friday, the Norwegian Government said amendments to the Incidents at Sea Agreement with Russia now is ready with an additional protocol. The two parties will sign the agreement in Moscow at a later date.
“In recent years we have seen an increase in Russian military activity in the Norwegian neighbourhoods,” said Minister of Defence Frank Bakke-Jensen. He added that also Norway’s military forces are more present in the north.
“This development makes it increasingly important to have functioning mechanisms to ensure safety between military units in the north,” the minister said.
“The updated agreement contributes to reducing the risk of dangerous situations and to increase the stability in the north,” Bakke-Jensen explained.
Increasing unsafe encounters
Over the last few years, Russia and the United States have experienced unsafe encounters between their forces on several occasions, like in 2016 when a Su-24 fighter jet made a very-low-flying pass by the guided-missile destroyer “USS Donald Cook” in the Baltic Sea.
A decade ago, Norwegian and Russian navy vessels used to exercise together in joint sailings in the Barents- and Norwegian Seas. Since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, however, Norway like other NATO nations suspended most military ties with Russia, including the powerful Northern Fleet based on the Kola Peninsula.
The updated protocol stipulates how to avoid dangerous situations with prohibitions, injunctions and liaison procedures for navy vessels and military aircraft. The text outlines which information channels are to be used in different situations. Norway and Russia will have annual military consultations to exchange views.
Today, the Joint Headquarters of the Norwegian Forces at Reitan (Bodø) have a Skype link to the Headquarters of the Northern Fleet where questions and answers can be exchanged regularly.
The agreement, when signed, applies to the parties military ships and aircraft outside 12 nautical miles territorial water. The text also stipulates that actions prohibited by the agreement shall not take place against civilian ships or planes.
Transponder questions still not clear
Nothing in the press release from the Ministry of Defence reveals whether or not the question about Russian military aviation in the future will fly with transponders on, visible for other aircraft and air traffic control centres.
The Barents Observer has previously reported about British air force authorities expressing “deep concerns” about Russian military aircraft’s lack of communication with European air traffic controllers (ATC).
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic Council united on northern cooperation, says Canada’s foreign minister, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Arctic Finland to see biggest military exercise of the year, Yle News
Greenland: Five Eyes alliance urged to forge ties with Greenland to secure minerals, Thomson Reuters
Iceland: Icelandic PM meets with U.S. Secretary of State ahead of Arctic Council Meeting, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: USS New Mexico docked in Tromso on Monday as Norway, US bolster Arctic military ties, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: “We take for granted that there will not be any problem in the Arctic that requires a military solution,” says Russian Arctic ambassador, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden seeks answers after allegations that U.S. spied on country with Denmark’s help, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Navy to build airport infrastructure in North Norway to meet upped Russian submarine presence, The Independent Barents Observer
