Norway Signs £10 Billion Frigate Deal with UK to Strengthen NATO Defences

Norway has finalized its largest-ever defence purchase, agreeing to acquire at least five British-built Type 26 frigates in a deal worth £10 billion ($13.5 billion). The agreement, announced on August 31, is designed to boost maritime security in Northern Europe amid rising concerns over Russian naval activity in the Arctic.

The ships, built by BAE Systems in the UK, are advanced anti-submarine and air defence warships. Their addition will significantly expand Norway’s current fleet, which operates four Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. Defence officials said the vessels will enhance NATO’s ability to monitor and deter Russian submarines operating from the Kola Peninsula, strengthening the alliance’s northern flank.

The agreement also establishes closer military integration between Britain and Norway. Together, the two nations will operate a joint fleet of more than a dozen Type 26 frigates, designed to share maintenance, training, and even personnel exchanges. Deliveries are expected to begin by 2030.

For the UK, the deal is both a strategic and economic win. It secures thousands of shipbuilding jobs—particularly in Scotland, where BAE’s shipyards are based—and underscores Britain’s role as a leading European defence supplier. Shares in major British defence firms, including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock, rose following the announcement.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre called the purchase “vital for protecting national sovereignty and securing our waters.” UK Defence Secretary John Healey added that the partnership ensures the two navies can “train, operate, deter—and, if necessary—fight together.”

Analysts view the deal as a landmark in NATO cooperation, especially as the U.S. shifts military focus toward Asia. With growing geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, the procurement signals Norway’s determination to reinforce its defences while deepening reliance on European partners.