UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Dutch counterpart Rob Jetten have concluded a maritime partnership agreement worth 2.4 billion pounds sterling (3.2 billion US dollars) on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara.
According to Report, this was stated in a British government press release.
Under the agreement, the British and Dutch armed forces will receive new amphibious transport ships.
“By combining the UK’s industrial expertise with the Netherlands’ design and seafaring expertise to create world-class platforms for our elite amphibious forces, we will strengthen NATO,” said Keir Starmer.
It is specified that each country will receive four ships, which will form the backbone of the reinforced British-Dutch amphibious forces. The vessels, approximately 160 metres long and with a displacement of 15,000 tonnes, will be capable of transporting troops, vehicles, equipment and unmanned systems. It is noted that the ships will feature specially designed flight decks for the operation of modern and future long-range drones and autonomous systems.
