The United Kingdom has secured a landmark £10 billion deal to supply Norway with at least five Type 26 frigates, marking the largest British warship export in history. These vessels, built by BAE Systems in Glasgow, are designed for anti-submarine warfare and will bolster NATO’s northern maritime security against increasing Russian submarine activity.
Set to create and support around 4,000 UK jobs well into the 2030s, including over 2,000 at BAE’s Clyde shipyard, the contract also benefits over 400 British companies across various regions.
This joint naval fleet will comprise 13 frigates, combining the UK’s eight and Norway’s new five ships, enabling cooperative operations and shared training to strengthen defence capabilities in northern Europe.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the agreement a “historic enhancement” of defence ties, explaining the choice of the UK as both the most trusted partner and provider of the most capable frigates.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasised that the deal supports “growth, jobs, and national security” for working people.
“Our navies will work as one, putting more world-class warships in the North Atlantic to hunt Russian submarines, protect critical infrastructure, and keep both our nations secure,” said UK Defence Secretary John Healey.