The United Kingdom and the Netherlands are launching a large-scale maritime project
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have agreed on a new phase of military cooperation at sea. The countries will jointly build eight modern amphibious assault ships capable of transporting troops, equipment, and drones.
The agreement was signed on July 7 on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. Officials in London emphasize that the new ships will form the backbone of the two countries’ revitalized joint amphibious forces.
The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have officially signed an agreement to establish a new maritime partnership. The document provides for the construction of modern amphibious transport ships for the navies of both countries. The project is estimated to cost 2.4 billion pounds sterling. The ships will be designed according to a Dutch design but will be built at British shipyards with the participation of companies from the Netherlands.
As a result, each country will receive four new ships. They will form the backbone of the strengthened British-Dutch amphibious forces and are expected to significantly expand the capabilities of both navies. The new ships will be approximately 160 meters long and have a displacement of about 15,000 metric tons. They will be capable of transporting military personnel, armored vehicles, various equipment, and unmanned systems.
The designers paid particular attention to the use of cutting-edge technologies. The ships will be equipped with special flight decks that will allow them to operate both modern drones and future long-range autonomous systems.
The British government notes that the new partnership is intended to strengthen the defense capabilities of both countries and enhance the allies’ readiness for joint operations within NATO. “The ships will form the backbone of enhanced British-Dutch amphibious forces,” according to a statement from the British government.
London also emphasized that cooperation between British and Dutch companies during the construction of the ships will contribute to the development of the defense industries of both nations and strengthen the long-term partnership between the allies. This is stated in a British government statement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of unmanned technologies on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
