UK secures $13.5 billion warship deal with Norway; NATO defenses bolstered

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00:00Britain signs its largest-ever warship export deal, a $13.5 billion agreement with Norway.

00:07The deal delivers at least five new Type 26 frigates, anti-submarine vessels designed to hunt down Russian submarines

00:14and protect critical infrastructure across the North Atlantic.

00:21The ships will be built at BAE Systems shipyards in Glasgow,

00:25where eight of the same class are already under construction for the Royal Navy.

00:31Deliveries to Norway are expected to begin by the end of the decade.

00:35The British Ministry of Defence says the program will support 4,000 jobs across the UK, including more than 2,000 in Scotland.

00:43For NATO, the deal is a big step.

00:45Once complete, Britain and Norway will jointly operate 13 of these frigates in northern waters,

00:51eight from the UK, at least five from Norway.

00:54UK Defence Secretary John Healy said the two countries will train, operate, deter, and, if necessary, fight together.

01:02The Norwegian Prime Minister calls the purchase a historic strengthening of security ties,

01:07saying patrols in the North Atlantic are critical during times of global instability.

01:12Norway selected the UK after weighing offers from France, Germany, and the US.

01:17Norway said Britain won on two counts, the most reliable strategic partner and the best overall design.

01:24Still, some naval experts in Norway argue French and German ships offer stronger air defence systems.

01:31The first of Britain's own Type 26 frigates, HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff,

01:37are set to enter service in 2028, with Norwegian deliveries to follow.

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