Keir Starmer has landed a major diplomatic coup after ensuring the UK secured a £10billion deal to build at least five warships for Norway’s navy amid an increasing threat from Russia.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that the Type 26 frigates will be constructed at the BAE Systems yard in the Govan area of Glasgow in what has been described as an “important and historic moment for European security”.
The UK had been competing with Emmanuel Macron and France to land the deal and the intervention of the prime minister on a trip to the Joint Expedition Force summit in May in Oslo, when The Independent got exclusive access, appears to have been crucial in landing the deal.
The deal will allow a fleet of at least 13 anti-submarine ships from the UK and Norway – at least five of which will be Norwegian – to operate jointly in northern Europe as they look to deal with increased Russian activity.
Patrolling the northern passage is now seen as a crucial part of European defence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasing attempts by Vladimir Putin’s navy to encroach on European and British waters with spy vessels and nuclear submarines.
The Scottish yard which will receive the contract is currently building eight frigates for the Royal Navy.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer learned of the decision during a call with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store on Saturday night.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said the decision marks an “important and historic moment for European security”.
The contract is expected to support 2,000 job at BAE in the coming years and a further 2,000 in the supply chain into the latter part of the next decade, with 103 Scottish businesses hoped to benefit.
Sir Keir said: “This £10 billion deal is what our Plan for Change is about – creating jobs, driving growth and protecting national security for working people.
“This government has forged new partnerships across the world to deliver for people at home and the export of our world leading Type 26 frigates to Norway will do exactly that, supporting well-paid jobs up and down the United Kingdom, from apprentices to engineers.
Norway will procure British Type-26 frigates 🇳🇴🇬🇧
— Norwegian Ministry of Defence (@Forsvarsdep) August 31, 2025
The Norwegian government has selected The United Kingdom as a strategic partner, and will procure British frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy.
This will be the largest procurement for the Norwegian Armed Forces ever PM… pic.twitter.com/QJ4L8n4vdR
“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.”
Defence Secretary John Healey said the deal “deepens our strategic partnership” with Norway.
“With Norway, we will train, operate, deter, and – if necessary – fight together,” he said.
“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.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the decision shows the “tremendous success” of Scotland’s shipbuilding industry and is an example of another “defence dividend” for the country.
