United Kingdom and Norway agree on a £10bn sale of five warships to Norway

In a significant move to strengthen their strategic partnership, Norway has agreed to buy five new British warships, known as Type 26 frigates, in a deal worth £10bn. This announcement was supported and initiated by the Norwegian government under Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo.

The deal, which is expected to support 2,000 jobs at BAE Systems in the coming years, is part of a plan for a fleet of at least 13 anti-submarine ships to operate jointly in northern Europe. The Type 26 frigates will provide national security for the UK, Norway, and NATO for years to come.

The warships, designed for anti-submarine warfare and high-intensity air defense, are to be built in Glasgow, Scotland. BAE Systems, responsible for the design of the Type 26 frigates, will be at the helm of this ambitious project.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the economic benefit of the deal, stating that it will support well-paid jobs up and down the United Kingdom. The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, added that the deal will allow the two nations to train, operate, deter, and fight together.

The increased focus on the security of undersea cables and other infrastructure is due to tensions around Russia's war in Ukraine and other ambitions. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store stated that the warships are necessary as Norway faces its most serious security situation since World War Two.

The deal will deliver next-generation capabilities for the armed forces and forge new partnerships across the world. Australia and Canada have already agreed to buy variants of the Type 26 for their navies, indicating a growing global interest in these advanced warships.

However, the deal does not specify a timeline for the delivery of the warships. The announcement must still be approved by the Norwegian parliament before the project can move forward.

This strategic partnership between Norway and the UK is set to deepen, providing a boost to both nations' national security and economies. The Type 26 frigates will undoubtedly play a crucial role in safeguarding the security of northern Europe for years to come.