The Ministry of Defence (MOD) says 2025 is on track to be the strongest year for British defence exports since statistics began, with contracts worth more than £20 billion agreed with allies. The department states the packages will directly support over 25,000 UK jobs over the long term and align economic benefits with NATO-oriented security outcomes.
Officials note that, subject to final confirmation, 2025 would be the highest year since UK Defence and Security Exports began publishing figures in 1983. The announcement is framed as early delivery of the Strategic Defence Review commitment to use defence exports to drive growth while reinforcing alliance cooperation.
A £10 billion agreement with Norway for at least five Type 26 frigates is the headline maritime deal. Ministers describe it as the UK’s largest warship export agreement, with the Government stating that around 4,000 jobs will be supported across more than 430 British businesses supplying the programme.
In combat air, the UK has agreed the sale of 20 Typhoon aircraft to Türkiye. Valued by the Government at £8 billion, ministers describe it as the largest fighter jet deal in a generation and say it will support about 20,000 UK jobs while contributing to NATO’s southern air defence posture.
Additional orders include the export and sale of 12 C‑130 aircraft to Türkiye, with a combined value to the UK defence sector and Marshall Aerospace of over £550 million. The company reports that this safeguards around 1,400 skilled roles in Cambridge. Devon-based Supacat has also sold 18 transporter vehicles to the Czech armed forces.
Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard characterised the year’s outcomes as evidence of the Government’s plan to link export growth with national security. He highlighted the Norway Type 26 programme as supporting Scottish industry and the Typhoon export as strengthening NATO’s southern flank, while indicating that further opportunities are being pursued in 2026.
Operational cooperation with Norway was formalised in December 2025 through the Lunna House agreement, under which the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy will operate together in the North Atlantic. In parallel, the MOD has launched the Atlantic Bastion transformation of anti‑submarine warfare, introducing uncrewed systems as part of a hybrid approach.
Earlier in 2025, the UK signed a new AUKUS treaty with Australia. The Government assesses its potential to generate up to £20 billion in exports and support more than 21,000 UK jobs over time, presenting it as both an industrial opportunity and a strategic reinforcement of maritime security.
To ease transfers among close European partners, the UK has joined the Agreement on Defence Export Controls alongside France, Germany and Spain. Ministers say the arrangement is intended to make it easier for British firms to export to partner nations, particularly for collaborative programmes.
The MOD links export performance to internal reform, describing the current change programme as the largest in more than 50 years. A new National Armaments Director Group, with an International Collaboration and Exports team, has been established to coordinate government‑to‑government engagement and support industry outreach.
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce said the integrated structure is designed to strengthen international partnerships while supporting domestic growth. Director General Avril Jolliffe added that an always‑on model aims to connect UK industry directly to overseas opportunities and build collective deterrence.
Looking to 2026, officials point to further work in advanced aircraft, maritime technologies and armoured transport such as Boxer. Beyond headline values, the MOD emphasises long‑term support for skilled employment, though detailed regional and duration breakdowns are not provided in the release.