The UK has secured a landmark £10 billion defense export deal with Norway to supply at least five advanced Type 26 anti-submarine frigates—the largest warship export order by value in British history, and the biggest defense procurement ever for Norway.
Under the agreement, the Royal Norwegian Navy will receive the new vessels, primarily constructed by BAE Systems in Glasgow, supplementing the Royal Navy’s City-class fleet for a combined total of 13 frigates operating jointly in Northern Europe.
The deal will support approximately 4,000 jobs across the U.K., including over 2,000 at the BAE shipyards in Scotland, and benefit 432 British companies, from large contractors to SMEs.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the export as delivering on his government’s industrial strategy. “This deal will create jobs, drive growth, and protect national security for working people,” he said. Defence Secretary John Healey described the agreement as deepening strategic cooperation with Norway. “With Norway, we will train, operate, deter, and — if necessary — fight together,” he said.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre emphasized the partnership’s importance: “Who is our most strategic partner? And who has delivered the best frigates?… The answer to both is the United Kingdom.”
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The Type 26s are fitted with sophisticated sonar, weapons systems, and sensors, designed to counter emerging threats and maintain maritime security.
There has been speculation about whether this export order might delay deliveries of Type 26s to the Royal Navy. However, the Ministry of Defence insists all frigates—including those intended for the UK—will enter operation by the late 2030s.
The agreement marks a significant industrial and strategic victory for the U.K., reinforcing its role in NATO and underlining the Clyde shipyards’ position at the heart of advanced warship manufacturing.
