UK, Netherlands sign amphibious ship agreement

The UK and the Netherlands have signed a GBP2.4 billion deal to build eight amphibious transport ships to strengthen the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Force.

The deal, signed on 7 July at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, will see the countries operate four ships each. They will be built in UK shipyards to a Dutch design.

A total of EUR1-2.5 billion is being invested in the programme on the Netherlands side, according to its defence ministry.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the partnership would deliver “long-term security for both the UK and the Netherlands."

Ship specifications

The vessels, measuring 160m in length, are intended to carry troops, vehicles, and equipment.

On the vessels, the flight deck will also be designed to operate current and future long-range drones, aligning with the Royal Navy's move towards a hybrid fleet that combines crewed platforms with autonomous systems.

Neither the UK or the Netherlands’ announcements provided further information on the designer or design. However, given that the design will be Dutch, Damen – one of the leading shipbuilders in the Netherlands – may be involved, particularly as its ‘Landing Platform Dock Enforcer 15628’ amphibious vessel has a similar length to the requirement.

UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the two nations would "operate the same equipment and deploy on exercises together".

Wider partnership context

The programme builds on the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Force, a partnership launched in 1972, which sees marine units from both nations conduct joint training and combined exercises.

It also follows the UK's GBP298 billion Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June, which allocated over GBP5 billion for uncrewed systems and GBP1.5 billion for the Royal Navy's Hybrid Navy concept.

The UK and the Netherlands have signed a GBP2.4 billion deal to build eight amphibious transport ships to strengthen the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Force.

The deal, signed on 7 July at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, will see the countries operate four ships each. They will be built in UK shipyards to a Dutch design.

A total of EUR1-2.5 billion is being invested in the programme on the Netherlands side, according to its defence ministry.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the partnership would deliver “long-term security for both the UK and the Netherlands."

Ship specifications

The vessels, measuring 160m in length, are intended to carry troops, vehicles, and equipment.

On the vessels, the flight deck will also be designed to operate current and future long-range drones, aligning with the Royal Navy's move towards a hybrid fleet that combines crewed platforms with autonomous systems.

Neither the UK or the Netherlands’ announcements provided further information on the designer or design. However, given that the design will be Dutch, Damen – one of the leading shipbuilders in the Netherlands – may be involved, particularly as its ‘Landing Platform Dock Enforcer 15628’ amphibious vessel has a similar length to the requirement.

UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said the two nations would "operate the same equipment and deploy on exercises together".

Wider partnership context

The programme builds on the UK-Netherlands Amphibious Force, a partnership launched in 1972, which sees marine units from both nations conduct joint training and combined exercises.

It also follows the UK's GBP298 billion Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June, which allocated over GBP5 billion for uncrewed systems and GBP1.5 billion for the Royal Navy's Hybrid Navy concept.