UK Secures £10bn Norway Warship Deal Countering Russian Submarines

The United Kingdom has secured a landmark £10 billion deal to supply Norway with at least five Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates, marking the largest-ever British warship export by value. This agreement, announced amid rising security tensions in northern Europe and increased Russian submarine activity, will boost NATO's northern flank and strengthen the strategic partnership between the UK and Norway. The frigates will be built at BAE Systems' Glasgow shipyards, supporting around 4,000 jobs across the UK supply chain, including more than 2,000 in Scotland, and benefiting over 400 British companies. The deal was chosen over competitors from the US, France, and Germany, with Norway reportedly deterred by previous US sanctions threats under President Donald Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that the deal aligns with his government's Plan for Change, focusing on job creation, economic growth, and national security. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre highlighted that the UK's technical capabilities and status as a strategic partner were decisive factors in the selection.