United Kingdom and Netherlands Announce £2.4 Billion Joint Amphibious Ship Procurement Program
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have formally agreed to jointly procure a new class of amphibious transport ships under a £2.4 billion program, a move welcomed by British shipbuilder Balaena as a significant opportunity for the nation’s shipbuilding industry. The company highlighted the potential for strengthening global security, deepening bilateral relations, and benefiting UK shipbuilding communities.
The landmark agreement was formalized by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during a meeting of NATO leaders in Ankara on July 7. The collaborative program will see the new vessels constructed in UK shipyards, leveraging a Dutch design, with each nation operating four ships. These vessels, measuring 160 meters in length and displacing 15,000 tonnes, are designed to transport troops, vehicles, and equipment, including uncrewed aerial and autonomous systems. Their flight decks will be capable of operating both current and future long-range uncrewed platforms, reflecting an emphasis on modern naval capabilities.
Balaena has publicly positioned itself as a key contender for the construction contracts. Simon Gillett, the company’s Chief Executive, issued a statement indicating the firm’s readiness: “Balaena stands ready to build the 160-meter vessels from our major construction facilities in Birkenhead and the North East of England. Our facilities possess the industrial capability and capacity required to support complex warship construction, and we maintain a track record of delivering major military vessels in the UK.”
Gillett substantiated the company’s claims of capability by citing its recent contributions to naval projects. He referenced the delivery of “key structural components of the Type 26 frigate programme and other Sovereign defence platforms on behalf of BAE in 2026.” Additionally, he pointed to the firm’s prior involvement in supplying “significant units of the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers,” underscoring its experience with large-scale naval construction.
Beyond military contracts, Balaena also highlighted the strength of its commercial order book as an indicator of its operational capacity. Gillett noted that the company is slated to deliver three commercial ferries in 2026: the Royal Daffodil for Mersey Travel and two additional ferries for Western Ferries. He concluded his statement by asserting that “Balaena and our established UK supply chain is ready to play its part in the delivering the new amphibious transport ships, which will benefit our workforce and shipbuilding communities across the UK.”
The joint program, officially designated as the Amphibious Transport Ship in alignment with Dutch naval naming conventions, marks a significant evolution from the UK’s earlier Multi-Role Strike Ship concept. The initial British vision had contemplated up to six vessels to replace the two Albion-class landing platform docks, the three Bay-class landing ships, and RFA Argus. However, that concept was scaled back due to budget pressures, leading to the current cooperative approach with the Netherlands which will deliver a total of eight vessels.
Balaena is not the sole British shipyard to express interest in the substantial program. Navantia UK, which owns Harland & Wolff in Belfast, has also released a statement regarding its intentions to compete for the construction contracts. This indicates an expected competitive bidding process among the UK’s major shipbuilders, all vying for a share of this high-value defense project.
This joint endeavor highlights a growing trend in European defense procurement, emphasizing interoperability and shared burden within NATO. For the UK, it represents a crucial opportunity to revitalize its naval shipbuilding sector, aligning with the ambitions of the National Shipbuilding Strategy to deliver a pipeline of work to UK yards. For the Netherlands, it ensures a robust replacement for its aging amphibious fleet while fostering a strong industrial partnership with a key European ally. The collaborative design and build approach is expected to leverage the strengths of both nations’ defense industries, enhancing collective security capabilities.
Why This Matters
- Enhanced NATO Interoperability and Collective Security: The joint procurement deepens defense cooperation between the UK and the Netherlands, two key NATO allies. By operating a common class of amphibious ships, both nations will improve their ability to work together seamlessly in military operations, humanitarian aid missions, and crisis response scenarios, thereby strengthening NATO’s overall capabilities and readiness.
- Strategic Naval Capability: These new 15,000-tonne amphibious transport ships are critical for projecting power, conducting expeditionary operations, and providing logistical support. They will replace aging fleets for both nations, ensuring they maintain vital capabilities for transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment, including advanced uncrewed systems, well into the future. This is crucial for global reach and rapid response to emerging threats.
- Economic Stimulus for Shipbuilding Industries: The £2.4 billion program represents a significant investment in the shipbuilding sectors of both the UK and the Netherlands. For the UK, it provides a substantial pipeline of work, potentially creating and sustaining thousands of jobs in shipyards and across the extensive supply chain. This aligns with national strategies to bolster domestic industrial capabilities and promotes long-term economic stability in shipbuilding communities.
- Technological Advancement and Future-Proofing: The design emphasis on operating current and future long-range uncrewed and autonomous systems demonstrates a forward-looking approach to naval warfare. Investing in platforms capable of integrating these technologies ensures that the UK and Dutch navies remain at the forefront of maritime defense innovation, adapting to evolving threats and operational requirements.
- Strengthening Bilateral Relations: Beyond the immediate defense benefits, this joint program significantly strengthens the strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Collaborative ventures of this scale build trust, foster shared expertise, and lay the groundwork for future cooperation in defense, technology, and other areas, reinforcing a crucial European alliance.