The Royal Navy will buy three new ships built in Norway to carry autonomous systems that find and destroy sea mines, it announced on 12 November at the Atlantic Future Forum in Oslo. The agreement costs £90 million and includes an option for three more ships.
The first of the three offshore support vessels is due to be delivered in 2031. The Royal Navy says the ships are part of building its hybrid navy and will help it hunt mines and support anti-submarine warfare on NATO's northern flank.
Norway is buying Type 26 frigates from the UK, so the two navies will operate similar ships. Norway's defence minister said the purchase would strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and help their navies work together.
Also reported by Breaking Defense and Zona Militar
Background
Royal Navy
Organization
The United Kingdom's naval force, responsible for defending the country, the Crown Dependencies and the Overseas Territories.
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NATO
Military alliance
NATO is an alliance of member countries that launched an online counter-drone procurement platform.
