UK and Netherlands Sign £2.4 Billion Amphibious Ship Deal at NATO Summit in Ankara

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have signed a £2.4 billion partnership for eight next-generation amphibious transport ships at a NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara.

At a Glance

The deal was signed on 7 July at a NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara.
It was signed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
The £2.4 billion agreement covers eight 15,000-tonne amphibious transport ships.
Each nation will operate four ships; the design is Dutch and construction is in UK shipyards.
The 160-meter ships will support long-range drones and autonomous systems.

Signed at the NATO meeting in Ankara

The United Kingdom and the Netherlands have signed a £2.4 billion maritime partnership for next-generation amphibious transport ships. The agreement was signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten during a NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara. The deal provides for the construction of eight 15,000-tonne amphibious transport ships.

At 160 meters long each, the ships are designed to move troops, vehicles and equipment — including drones — wherever they are needed. The new vessels will form the backbone of a strengthened UK-Netherlands amphibious force, with each nation operating four ships.

Designed for hybrid drone warfare

Based on a Dutch design, the ships will be built in UK shipyards alongside Dutch industry, and the deal is expected to support hundreds of high-skilled UK jobs. Their flight decks are being designed to operate current and future long-range drones and autonomous systems, supporting the Royal Navy’s transition to a ‘hybrid Navy.’

Beyond moving ground forces from sea to shore, the amphibious ships are positioned as mother bases for uncrewed systems. The approach reflects how modern amphibious warfare is increasingly built around drones and autonomous platforms.

Significance for Turkey and NATO

Signing the deal at a NATO leaders’ meeting in Ankara highlights Turkey’s diplomatic weight within the alliance and its host role. The joint ship program between the two allies aims to reinforce NATO’s amphibious and sealift capability.

Designing the ships around uncrewed systems shows that naval platforms are now positioned as drone-carrier bases — a trend that runs parallel to the UAV integration work under way on Turkish naval platforms.