The UK government has described Norway’s decision to purchase British-built Type 26 frigates as “the biggest British warship export deal in history,” highlighting its significance for Scotland’s defence industry and economy.
Responding to a written question from Patricia Ferguson MP, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said the contract represents “a huge vote of confidence in the strength of our defence industry and in Scotland’s shipbuilding capability.”
He stated that the deal will “sustain more than 4,000 jobs, of which more than 2,000 are in Scotland, for at least 15 years,” and will benefit suppliers across the UK, including Scottish small and medium-sized enterprises.
The agreement, valued at around £10 billion, will see at least five Type 26 frigates built for the Royal Norwegian Navy to replace its current surface fleet.
The ships will be constructed in Glasgow, where BAE Systems already produces the Type 26 for the Royal Navy. The design was selected for its advanced anti-submarine warfare capabilities, interoperability within NATO, and existing industrial partnerships with Norwegian firms.
The contract marks a major milestone in UK-Norwegian defence cooperation, following recent joint projects on maritime surveillance and undersea security.
It is also part of the UK government’s strategy to position defence exports as a key driver of economic growth and regional employment, particularly in Scotland’s shipbuilding sector. The first of the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates, HMS Glasgow, is currently fitting out on the Clyde, with the class designed to serve well into the middle of the century.
Say now hypothetically the government planned to build even more frigates, destroyers etc than is currently planned but at the same timescale.
Could they spread the build of the ships out over several ports around the country to build them quicker?
This is all hypothetical ofcourse as it would mean a serious government.
Well, it would need locals building up the skills… But they’re failing because the SNP doesn’t like welding for defence. Problem is, ships today are welded.
Lol, Welded to the Dockside !
They allready do, to a degree.
Bit’s of each ship are built all over the country and assembled on the Clyde and Forth, It’s been this way for decades since English yards ceased building complete hulls. (Apart from Apledore which was the last English shipyard to build complete warships).
Personally I would like to see more Ships completed in English yards to add to those in Pictland.
On a side note, It’s Haggis shooting season soon.
Ah, the haggis hunt. A very solemn time that marks the passage into adulthood for every wee lad. I remember my first, aged 5 (don’t laugh I was a late bloomer) when my paw said to me, “son, yer no a man till yev skunnered yer first haggis.” And with that, he handed me the family claymore, and the rest, is history.
It’s always a fun time on those Facebook “Rate my plate” sites too.
American Season seems to coincide really well !
Weesht yerself! The Yanks know nuthin’ about haggis cuisine. I wouldnae even serve that slop to an Englishman!
“Apart from Apledore which was the last English shipyard to build complete warships”
Is that true? I thought BVT were building complete OPV/light frigates? Maybe I’m confusing timelines.
It was true a few years back. They built the Irish Patrol Vessels. By that time they were the only and last English yard to do so.
“Not alot of people know that” (M Caine)
Ah, this is a slight cross over.
I’m talking warships.
You are talking patrol vessels.
There is a difference!
The last warships built in England were Corvettes for Oman and OPV’s for Brazil.
Fair enough, I know they did for the aircraft carriers I just assumed the rest of the ships were built in Scotland to keep them happy!
Teaches me not to take a few minutes to do some basic research!
VT Portsmouth was the last yard to build warships, now under BAE the yards modern shipbuilding hall stands empty.
Only up to a point. There are a few places like Lairds/A&P, Appledore, Ferguson’s which could build blocks that could be assembled on the Clyde. They could even build blocks abroad. However, could they fit the ship out faster and could they source key specialist components faster, such as the gearing from Brown’s? That’s probably a tougher call and could be the limiting factor over the next decade.
There is already quite the pipeline on bits such as geaboxes and other parts for AUS and CAN as well as GB and DK.
So capacity has been built into the systems.
Good point.
Remember also that a Port isn’t the same as a yard.
Good point.
we hear about fleets of drone ships on ASW work we have boris’ T32 mythicatype 32. underwater squadrons of unmanned submarines protecting our cables and carriers that can launch aircraft and dronesbusing catapults, a type 83 destroyer, the expensive black hole of a yet to be been up to date on (considering it is my taxes that are pa for it. isn’t it time for the MOD t start telling us what is going on with our armed forces and the defence of our disjointed and allegedly multicoloured societ?, which crumbles a bit more every while the starm circus pretends all is well.
Is this M.O.R.S.E. ?
Thank god for that I thought I was going senile. Ok I may be but the above is NOT a test thankfully.
We are all guilty at times, I guess you can sort of work it out and he’s not blaming dyslexia like the other poster who writes exactly the same way and gets rather angry ! 👀👀👀
Senile is one letter away from something worse !
Love this site, you never know which name is going to be used next !
Senile dysfunction?
It happens to us all Young Skywalker 😉
No, it is just code!
The lack of feedback over the last two years is shameful. We will have to wait still further for the DIP and hope that it at least has all the numbers the old Equipment Plan had. I also think the casual falling back on the security excuse to restrict information is overplayed.
Of course it is very overplayed.
I wouldn’t be too surprised if most of DIP is kept secret.
With the Nordic’s spending plenty and Germany spending the big Euros UK really is looking very laggardly.