Norway has finalized a £10bn agreement with the UK to acquire Type 26 anti-submarine frigates, marking Britain’s largest warship export by value and Norway’s biggest defence procurement deal.
The vessels will be built at BAE Systems shipyards in Glasgow, where work is already underway on eight frigates for the Royal Navy. The programme is expected to support 4,000 UK jobs and involve over 400 businesses across the country, with strong representation in Scotland, the North West, and the West Midlands.
As part of the deal, the UK and Norway will operate a combined fleet of 13 Type 26 frigates to bolster NATO’s northern flank. Britain will contribute eight ships while Norway will provide at least five. The joint fleet will focus on deterring Russian submarine activity, safeguarding undersea infrastructure, and enhancing security in the North Atlantic.
UK officials described the agreement as both an economic and strategic milestone, boosting domestic shipbuilding while reinforcing defence ties with Norway. Leaders from both nations highlighted the deal as a major step in deepening military cooperation and ensuring long-term security in northern Europe.
The Type 26 frigates are designed with advanced weapons, sensors, and upgradeable systems to counter evolving threats, strengthening NATO’s maritime capabilities for decades to come.