Britain has secured a $13.5 billion agreement to build at least five new warships for Norway, marking the largest warship export deal in U.K. history and Norway’s biggest defense investment to date. The contract covers Type 26 frigates, advanced anti-submarine warfare vessels designed to detect, track and neutralize enemy submarines.
The ships will be constructed at BAE Systems’ shipyards in Glasgow, where eight of the same class are already under construction for the Royal Navy. Deliveries to Norway are set to begin around 2030.
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The British Ministry of Defence said the program will support 4,000 jobs across the U.K. supply chain, including more than 2,000 in Scotland.
Why is this significant for NATO?
Once complete, Britain and Norway will jointly operate 13 Type 26 frigates across the North Atlantic and northern Europe. Britain will field eight of the frigates and Norway will contribute at least five.
U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey said the deal ensures the two nations “will train, operate, deter and – if necessary – fight together,” adding that the ships will help secure critical infrastructure and strengthen maritime security.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the decision a “historic strengthening” of ties with the U.K. and NATO allies, stressing the importance of North Atlantic patrols during “times of global instability.”
How was the UK chosen?
Norway considered offers from France, Germany and the United States before selecting the UK. Støre said the choice rested on two factors: who was the most reliable strategic partner and who produced the strongest design, concluding that both answers pointed to Britain.
Not everyone in Norway supported the outcome. Some naval experts argued that other European designs provided more advanced air-defense systems than the British frigates.
What comes next?
Two British Type 26 frigates — HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff — are expected to enter Royal Navy service in 2028. Delivery schedules are still being coordinated to balance commitments to the U.K. and Norway.
The design has also been licensed to Canada and Australia.
