The government has announced its biggest ever warship export deal by value, with an agreement to build five Type 26 frigates for the Norwegian navy.
The deal, estimated to be worth £10 billion, will also support 4,000 jobs across the UK, while helping more than 400 British companies. This includes more than 2,000 roles at BAE Systems’ Glasgow shipyards.
Under the terms of the deal, Norway has selected British-built Type 26 frigates, which will be used in an anti-submarine warfare role in Northern Europe.
The Type 26 has sophisticated weapons, advanced sensors and cutting-edge communications systems. They will be built at the shipyard in Glasgow, where eight are currently under construction for the Royal Navy.
Sir Keir Starmer found out that the UK had been successful in it’s bid to produce the ships in a phone call with his Norwegian counterpart last night.
The PM said the agreement is about “creating jobs, driving growth and protecting national security for working people”.
He added that it will support “well-paid jobs up and down the United Kingdom, from apprentices to engineers”.
Starmer continued: “This success is testament to the thousands of people across the country who are not just delivering this next generation capabilities for our Armed Forces but also national security for the UK, our Norwegian partners and NATO for years to come.”
Jonas Støre, the Norwegian PM, added that he is “confident that the strategic partnership with the UK for purchasing, developing and operating frigates is the right decision”.
The deal means there will be 13 Type 26 frigates operating in the waters around Northern Europe – eight British and five Norwegian.
‘Deal delivers real investment and jobs across Scotland’
John Healey, the defence secretary said: “With Norway, we will train, operate, deter, and – if necessary – fight together.
“Our navies will work as one, leading the way in NATO, with this deal putting more world-class warships in the North Atlantic to hunt Russian submarines, protect our critical infrastructure, and keep both our nations secure.
“This deal confirms Britain’s defence industry as world-leading.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said it is a “huge boost for shipbuilding jobs on the Clyde” and delivers “real investment and jobs in Glasgow and across Scotland”.
He added: “While the SNP play student politics with security and defence jobs in Scotland, Labour is on the side of Scottish shipyard workers and will always stand up for our national security.”
As well as construction of the vessels, the deal will also see UK sailors carry out training, maintenance, and in-service support.
The read-out from the call in which Starmer found out the UK had been successful says the pair also discussed the situation in Ukraine.
Starmer thanked Støre for “Norway’s continued support and significant contributions” and that both leaders “agreed it was vital the country [is] able to defend itself”.