The UK and the Netherlands have come together to create a new type of amphibious transport ship as part of a £2.4 billion program. These ships will be built in British shipyards, using a design from the Netherlands, strengthening defense ties between these two NATO allies.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during a NATO leaders' meeting in Ankara. It includes plans for each country to operate four advanced amphibious transport ships.
These ships will be 160 meters long and weigh 15,000 tons. They are meant to carry troops, vehicles, and equipment and will also support both current and future drones and autonomous systems. The goal is to create a more integrated amphibious force between the UK and the Netherlands, aligning with the Royal Navy's move towards a hybrid fleet that mixes crewed ships with uncrewed technologies.
The UK government mentioned that building these ships in British shipyards is expected to generate hundreds of high-skilled jobs.
Prime Minister Starmer stated, “This partnership is not just about building ships; it’s about ensuring long-term security for both the UK and the Netherlands, helping us stay ahead of future threats.”
He added, “By combining the UK’s industrial skills with the Netherlands’ design and naval experience, we will create top-quality platforms for our specialized amphibious forces, which will also strengthen NATO.”
UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis remarked that this shared platform will enhance cooperation between the two navies.
“Our forces will use the same equipment and train together, so if needed, we can fight and win side by side,” he explained.
This agreement builds on over 50 years of collaboration through the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Force, which is Europe’s longest-running integrated military force. Using the same ships will enable the Royal Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy to train, deploy, and respond to crises more effectively while also advancing the joint development of autonomous and uncrewed systems.
Furthermore, this agreement highlights the Netherlands’ growing role in allied amphibious ship programs. The Dutch shipbuilder Damen’s smaller LST 100 design has already been chosen for the U.S. Navy's Landing Ship Medium program and Australia’s Landing Craft Heavy program. However, the UK-Netherlands partnership focuses on a larger 160-meter, 15,000-ton amphibious transport ship based on a Dutch design.
In addition to amphibious operations, the UK and Netherlands are committed to collaborating on protecting critical undersea infrastructure and enhancing deterrence in the North Atlantic and High North, responding to increasing concerns about threats to subsea cables and energy assets.
This announcement also aligns with the UK’s broader naval modernization efforts under its Defence Investment Plan, which includes increasing investments in autonomous surface and underwater systems along with traditional warships. This follows a recent deal with Norway to construct five Type 26 frigates in UK shipyards, further bolstering Britain’s naval shipbuilding industry.