The UK has achieved its largest annual defence export total on record, surpassing £20bn ($26.9bn) in deals secured with allied nations during 2025.
This figure marks the highest since record-keeping began over four decades ago.
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The increase is largely attributed to a £10bn agreement with Norway involving the supply of at least five Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates.
Under this arrangement, both the Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy will operate a combined fleet aimed at countering maritime threats.
In addition to the Norwegian deal, the UK has finalised an £8bn contract to supply Türkiye with 20 Typhoon fighter jets.
This agreement is expected to maintain approximately 20,000 jobs across the UK.
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By GlobalDataThe export of 12 C-130 aircraft to Türkiye has also been completed, jointly benefiting UK Defence and Marshall Aerospace Group with revenue exceeding £550m.
Further developments this year include the signing of a new AUKUS treaty between the UK and Australia, designed to strengthen collaborative naval capabilities.
The deal holds potential for up to £20bn in future exports and could support more than 21,000 jobs within the UK.
Alongside these export contracts, British authorities have launched reforms within the Ministry of Defence, creating the National Armaments Director Group and introducing an International Collaboration & Exports team in an effort not seen in five decades.
Looking ahead to 2026, Britain plans to expand its defence exports through new agreements focused on advanced aircraft, maritime systems, and armoured vehicles such as Boxer.
To facilitate international sales, the UK has joined with France, Germany and Spain under the Agreement on Defence Export Controls, simplifying procedures for exports to partner countries.
The series of export achievements in 2025 has involved over 430 companies of varying sizes across Britain’s defence sector and supported around 4,000 shipbuilding jobs through the Type 26 contract alone.
UK Director General of International Collaboration and Exports Avril Jolliffe said: “Global security demands an always-on approach to international collaboration and exports. As announced in the Strategic Defence Review, we’re creating a single point of focus that connects UK industry directly with international opportunities.”
