UK and Norway sign major defense deal, establish interchangeable Type 26 fleet

December 5, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

The UK and Norway have signed a ‘first-of-its-kind’ defense agreement that will see British and Norwegian navies operating side by side in the North Atlantic.

Computer Generated footage of Type 26 Global Combat Ship with Norwegian flag; Credit: UK Government

The new Lunna House Agreement will see the Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy operate an interchangeable fleet of British-built Type-26 frigates. It follows a 30% increase in Russian vessels threatening UK waters in the past two years, according to the UK.

At the center of the pact is a joint fleet of Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates, eight for the UK and at least five for Norway, forming the core of what officials describe as the most significant British warship deal ever signed.

The £10 billion agreement, concluded in September, will be ‘the largest’ Norwegian defense capability investment to date. The UK, in its biggest ever warship export deal by value, will supply Norway with at least five Type 26 frigates designed for anti-submarine warfare.

Norway opts for UK’s Type 26 frigates in ‘historic’ £10 billion defense deal

Vessels

Named after the Scottish headquarters of the Norwegian resistance during the Second World War – Lunna House in the Shetland Isles, the agreement builds on 75 years of UK-Norway cooperation, both founding NATO members.

The agreement will also see:

UK joining Norwegian programme to develop motherships for uncrewed mine hunting and undersea warfare systems;
Year-round training of Royal Marines in Norway, preparing them to fight in sub-zero conditions;
Royal Navy adopting advanced Norwegian naval strike missiles;
Deeper collaboration on Sting Ray torpedoes, helping to boost munitions stockpiles;
Joint wargaming between our Armed Forces;
UK and Norway leading NATO’s adoption of autonomous systems in the High North.

“At this time of profound global instability, as more Russian ships are being detected in our waters, we must work with international partners to protect our national security. This historic agreement with Norway strengthens our ability to protect our borders and the critical infrastructure our nations depend on,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

“For over 75 years, the UK and Norway have stood shoulder-to-shoulder on NATO’s northern flank, defending Europe and keeping our people safe. This partnership takes us further, making our nations more secure at home and strong abroad,” Defense Secretary John Healey commented.

“Through this Lunna House Agreement, we will patrol the North Atlantic as one, train together in the Arctic, and develop the advanced equipment that will keep our citizens safe now and into the future. We are stepping up on European security and delivering on our NATO-first plan.”

The Lunna House Agreement also opens the door to deeper industrial cooperation between the two countries, supporting skilled jobs while strengthening their overall warfighting readiness.

It also confirms that the UK will join Norway’s program to develop next-generation offshore support vessels, platforms designed to serve as motherships for uncrewed minehunting and undersea warfare systems, underscoring the pact’s long-term goal of building a more resilient and technologically advanced maritime force.