2 min read - 1 Sep, 2025
Norway selects UK warships in landmark deal worth £10bn
Billions of pounds will be injected into the UK economy following Norway’s decision to select British warships for its Armed Forces, securing thousands of jobs in Britain for years to come.
The UK, in its biggest ever warship export deal by value, will supply the Norwegian Navy with at least five Type 26 frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare in a deal worth £10bn.
The agreement, which is also Norway’s largest-ever defence procurement deal, will support 4,000 jobs across the UK supply chain until well into the 2030s, including more than 2,000 at BAE Systems’ Glasgow shipyards, where the frigates will be built. The programme is also expected to support 432 businesses, including 222 SMEs, across the UK, including 103 in Scotland, 47 in the North West of England and 35 in the West Midlands.
The UK has secured a landmark £10bn deal to supply Norway with at least five Type 26 frigates for anti-submarine warfare / Picture: BAE Systems
Charles Woodburn, chief executive of BAE Systems, said: “The Norwegian government’s decision reflects its confidence in British industry’s ability to deliver a superior anti-submarine warfare platform, together with systems and equipment, that will support its future maritime security and reinforce its position within NATO. We look forward to playing our part in further strengthening the strategic partnership between the UK and Norway, as we work together with Norwegian industry to deliver this important capability to the Royal Norwegian Navy.”
Norway’s operation of identical Type 26 ships alongside the Royal Navy will result in a combined UK-Norwegian fleet of 13 anti-submarine warfare frigates – comprising eight British and at least five Norwegian – operating jointly in Northern Europe to detect, classify, track, and defeat hostile submarines, significantly reinforcing NATO’s northern flank. The partnership will also cover shared maintenance, extensive crew training, in-service support and personnel exchanges.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre added: “Norway and the United Kingdom are close allies, with common interests and strong bilateral ties. I am confident that the strategic partnership with the UK for purchasing, developing and operating frigates is the right decision. This partnership enables Norway to reach the strategic objectives our Parliament set out in the current long-term plan on defence.
“Selecting the United Kingdom as a strategic partner for frigates was also recommended by the Chief of Defence. The choice represents a historic strengthening of the defence cooperation between our two countries. It has been a difficult choice. The four candidates, France, Germany, USA and the UK, have provided strong and competitive proposals. They are all close allies, and I wish to express my appreciation for a constructive process and dialogue.”
The Type 26 features sophisticated weapons, advanced sensors, and cutting-edge communications, with a flexible design that enables future upgrades to counter emerging threats. Both Australia and Canada have also selected the Type 26 design for their Navies.
