The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have signed a defense agreement worth £2.4 billion to strengthen NATO
Kyiv • UNN
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have entered into a maritime partnership worth £2.4 billion to build amphibious assault ships. Each country will receive four new vessels to enhance NATO capabilities.
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have signed a new maritime partnership that provides for the construction of a new generation of amphibious transport ships to strengthen NATO capabilities. This is stated in a press release from the UK government, reports UNN.
Details
The agreement was signed on July 7 by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during a meeting of NATO leaders in Ankara.
The project, worth £2.4 billion, involves building the ships at British shipyards according to a Dutch design, in cooperation with Dutch industry. It is expected to create hundreds of highly skilled jobs in the UK.
Each country will receive four new ships
The new amphibious transport ships will form the backbone of joint British-Dutch amphibious forces. The UK and the Netherlands will each receive four vessels.
The ships, 160 meters long and with a displacement of 15,000 tons, will be capable of transporting troops, equipment, hardware, and drones. They will also be adapted for the use of modern long-range drones and autonomous systems.
This partnership is not just about building ships, but also about ensuring long-term security for both the UK and the Netherlands, guaranteeing that we can stay ahead of tomorrow's threats
The British government noted that the cooperation will also cover the development of autonomous and unmanned technologies, joint military exercises, and strengthening the protection of critical underwater infrastructure in the North Atlantic and the Arctic region. According to the parties' design, the new partnership is intended to strengthen NATO's defense capabilities and increase the Alliance's readiness for rapid response to crisis situations.