Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has secured a £10 billion defence contract for the UK to build at least five warships for Norway, strengthening European security in the face of growing Russian naval activity.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Type 26 frigates will be constructed at BAE Systems’ Govan shipyard in Glasgow, in what officials described as an “important and historic moment” for NATO allies.
A Win Over France in High-Stakes Bid
The UK had been competing with France to land the contract. According to officials, Starmer’s intervention during a Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Oslo earlier this year was crucial in tipping the balance in Britain’s favour.
The deal ensures that a combined fleet of at least 13 UK and Norwegian anti-submarine ships will patrol northern European waters, an area of increasing strategic importance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and reports of Kremlin spy vessels and nuclear submarines edging closer to NATO territory.
Boost for Jobs and Scottish Industry
The contract is expected to support 2,000 jobs at BAE Systems in Glasgow and another 2,000 in the wider supply chain, providing a major boost for Scottish shipbuilding. More than 100 businesses across Scotland are set to benefit from the deal, which secures work well into the next decade.
The Govan yard is already building eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. This additional order from Norway cements its role as a hub for advanced naval engineering in Europe.
Starmer: “Jobs, Growth and Security”
Speaking after confirmation of the deal, Starmer called it a clear example of his government’s “Plan for Change.”
“This £10 billion deal is about creating jobs, driving growth and protecting national security,” he said. “The export of our world-leading Type 26 frigates will support well-paid jobs across the UK, from apprentices to engineers, while bolstering NATO security for years to come.”
Defence Leaders Welcome Strengthened Partnership
Defence Secretary John Healey hailed the agreement as a deepening of the UK-Norway strategic alliance.
“With Norway, we will train, operate, deter and, if necessary, fight together,” he said. “These warships will strengthen NATO’s ability to track Russian submarines, protect critical infrastructure and keep both our nations safe.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray added that the decision highlighted the “tremendous success” of Scotland’s shipbuilding sector and delivered another “defence dividend” for the region.
The £10 billion deal not only marks a diplomatic and industrial victory for the UK but also reinforces NATO’s collective response to Russian aggression in northern waters. For Starmer, it offers a rare blend of international prestige and domestic economic gain, with Scotland’s shipyards at the heart of Europe’s defence strategy.
