Ministers restate plan for combined force of 13 Type 26 frigates

UK ministers reaffirmed plans for a combined fleet of thirteen Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates operated by Britain and Norway. The total comprises eight vessels ordered for the Royal Navy and at least five selected by Norway, creating related but nationally owned fleets based on the same frigate design. The ships are intended for submarine detection and escort missions, using specialist sensors and towed-array sonar with shared support and training opportunities. The political statement reconfirms intended fleet numbers rather than recording thirteen completed deliveries or changing the Royal Navy's separate eight-ship requirement.