The United Kingdom has struck a UK£10 billion (A$20.61 billion) deal to supply Norway with at least five new anti-submarine warships, as the two countries agree to collaborate on countering Russian activity in Northern Europe.
These Type 26 frigates will be built in Scotland by U.K. defence contractor BAE Systems. The deal will support 4,000 jobs across BAE Systems’ Glasgow operations and the UK maritime supply chain until the late 2030s, the UK’s government said.
“For over 75 years, Britain and Norway have stood together on NATO’s northern and north-eastern frontiers, keeping the UK and Europe safe. This historic defence deal deepens our strategic partnership,” according to U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey.
“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 will be Norway’s largest ever procurement for its armed forces. Delivery of the frigates will begin in 2030.
The UK also guaranteed UK£10 billion in industrial cooperation with Norwegian industry, according to Norway’s Ministry of Defence.
Under the deal, Norway’s new anti-submarine frigates would operate jointly with eight UK warships in Northern Europe to counter Russian activity in the region.
The Norwegian and UK frigates will have the same technical specifications to facilitate joint patrols, and will be equipped with anti-submarine helicopters.
The two countries are set to finalise a new defence agreement that will outline the terms of these joint patrols, as well as plans for additional defence industry cooperation.
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