The United Kingdom and Netherlands have signed a £2.4 billion maritime partnership to develop next-generation amphibious transport ships, strengthening NATO cooperation while supporting UK shipbuilding and defence innovation.
The agreement, signed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rob Jetten during the NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara, will see ships based on a Dutch design built in UK shipyards alongside Dutch industry.
Key developments:
- Eight amphibious transport ships will be produced, with four operated by each nation.
- The 160-metre vessels will carry troops, vehicles, equipment, drones and autonomous systems.
- The programme is expected to support hundreds of skilled UK jobs.
- The partnership expands cooperation on uncrewed technology, joint operations and protection of North Atlantic infrastructure.
The initiative builds on decades of UK-Netherlands maritime cooperation and aims to enhance NATO’s crisis response capabilities.
ℹ️ GOV.UK
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