Britain's new fleet of sub-hunters will work alongside Norwegian forces as a deterrent to the Russian threat, the MoD has said.

Britain and Norway will combat the resurgent threat from Russian naval forces by sharing facilities for new Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA).

The “significant increase in Russian submarine activity” means Nato naval forces are at particular risk in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea.

The UK will take delivery next year of the first of nine P-8A aircraft, at a cost of £3 billion. Norway is buying five in a move that reflects the 'changing security environment' in the North Atlantic, according to a statement jointly signed by the UK, Norway and the United States.

The UK aircraft will be based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland with operational and logistic support extended to the Norwegian planes.