United Kingdom locks down £10 billion military agreement with Norway
The United Kingdom has secured a significant military contract with Norway, worth an estimated £10 billion, marking the country's largest-ever warship export deal by value. This strategic partnership will see the supply of 26 Type 26 frigates, designed for anti-submarine warfare, to Norway over the next decade.
BAE Systems, a leading British defence, security, and aerospace company, will manufacture the Type 26 frigates. The deal is set to create more than 2,000 jobs at BAE Systems' Glasgow shipyards and support an additional 4,000 jobs across the UK's supply chain until the 2030s.
The decision by the Norwegian government to choose the UK for this military package was not made lightly. Norway had initially considered four other candidate countries, including the United States, Germany, and France, before making its choice. The UK's offer, with its flexible design and potential for future upgrades to counter emerging threats, proved to be the most appealing.
Norway and the UK share common interests and have strong bilateral ties. This deal, a result of decades of close cooperation between the two countries, both being close NATO allies, is seen as a historic strengthening of defence cooperation between the two nations.
The Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Støre, has expressed confidence in this strategic partnership, considering it a right decision. He also considers the UK a close ally and believes the partnership will help bolster maritime security, particularly in the face of increasing Russian threats in northern Europe.
The UK government sees this deal as a clear example of its commitment to delivering on its Plan for Change. The Norwegian government's decision to choose the UK for the military package is part of its current Long-Term Plan on Defence.
The deal will support 432 businesses, including 222 small and medium enterprises, across the UK. Of these businesses, 103 are in Scotland, 47 are in the North West of England, and 35 are in the West Midlands.
The UK's investment in supplying Norway with these advanced Type 26 frigates, equipped with sophisticated weapons, advanced sensors, and cutting-edge communications, will not only secure thousands of jobs in the UK but also strengthen the strategic partnership and maritime security between the two countries.
