The agreement sets out cooperation on the purchase, development and operation of Type 26 frigates, which will be built to the same technical specifications. “The signing of this agreement marks the start of the strategic partnership with the United Kingdom to purchase, develop and operate frigates jointly. The partnership enables us to collaborate even more closely on operations, new technology and crew training. In practice, we will have an integrated frigate fleet. The cooperation strengthens the ability of Norway, the United Kingdom and NATO to protect and monitor the maritime areas in the High North,” says Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik.
The framework also includes collaboration on the sharing and joint development of technology, as well as the operation and maintenance of the frigate fleet. During their visit, the two ministers held bilateral meetings and met new Navy recruits at Camp Madla.
“Here at Madla, we have met skilled personnel in the Norwegian Navy. Many of the young sailors here will continue their careers in the Navy, and they themselves will experience how the Navy becomes even more closely intertwined with British colleagues and other NATO allies. The strategic partnership on frigates is an important contribution to this,” says Sandvik.
Following the signing, Norway and the UK will begin contract negotiations with BAE Systems covering price and delivery schedules for the vessels. Once completed, the Norwegian government will submit a proposal for an investment decision to Parliament.
In parallel, the two countries will also negotiate separate industrial cooperation agreements with relevant industrial partners. “We have learned that we are stronger together. Our partnership will be the catalyst for strengthened industrial cooperation in the decades to come. It will create opportunities and jobs for the Norwegian and British defence industries, with access to new export markets, technological collaboration, and concrete defence cooperation projects,” says Sandvik.
