New Protectors for Iceland

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New Protectors for Iceland

By GERARD O’DWYER, HELSINKI

DefenseNews

Norway and Denmark have signed separate defense cooperation agreements with Iceland that provide cover for the North Atlantic island’s land, national airspace and sea defenses in peacetime. The two pacts, signed April 27, fill the void left by the September 2006 withdrawal of U.S. troops and F-18 fighters from Iceland, which has no military.

Iceland signed with Norway a broad-ranging memorandum of understanding (MoU) on peacetime security policy cooperation. Iceland’s security needs will remain covered by its bilateral defense agreement with the United States and NATO security guarantee accords.

The MoU includes provision for military exercises and other sea- and air-based defense activities. Norway can station aircraft at Iceland’s Keflavik airbase, and its fighters and reconnaissance aircraft can operate in Icelandic airspace. The cooperation also covers air-rescue services and civil emergency preparedness.

“The additional associated costs will be met by Iceland and by Norway,” Oslo’s Jonas Gahr Støre said. “This will not mean that more funds will be sought by the military. The costs can be covered by the existing defense budget.”

Denmark’s defense agreement with Iceland also covers visits by Danish naval, air and land forces, and joint exercises with Iceland’s security agencies. Iceland also is making facilities at Keflavik available to the Danish military cost-free.

“The defense accord is of great importance and mutual benefit to both Iceland, its Nordic neighbors and NATO allies,” Støre said. “Norway and Iceland have a common interest to maintain security stability in the North Atlantic. The agreement should be viewed as part of the Norwegian government’s High North Atlantic Defense Strategy.”