UK arms sales reach highest level in 40 years

UK defence exports reached a record high in 2025, driven by major warship and fighter jet deals secured by the government, with industry winning more than £20 billion in overseas sales to allied countries — the highest level in at least four decades.

The government said the figures represented a significant boost to the British economy and to employment nationwide. Around half of the total value came from Norway, which placed an order for at least five Type 26 frigates in a deal that defeated a competing French bid. The vessels are expected to be used to track Russian submarines and safeguard the North Atlantic, operating jointly with British warships.

Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, welcomed the results, saying: “We are showing again how this government is delivering on our pledge to make defence an engine for economic growth across the country while boosting our security and that of our allies.”

“By winning the historic deal to build Type 26 frigates for Norway, we are driving growth in Scotland and across the UK while better equipping our combined navies to counter the threat from Russia in the North Atlantic. And by exporting Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye, we are securing high-skilled jobs in Lancashire, Scotland and across the UK whilst helping strengthen NATO’s southern flank.

“We are committed to working with our allies and defence industries to make sure the UK is a leader in global defence exports, and there’s more to come in 2026.”

One of the largest agreements involved Türkiye, which ordered 20 Typhoon fighter jets in a deal valued at £8 billion. The contract is expected to secure around 20,000 jobs across the UK.

Looking ahead to 2026, the government said it expects additional defence export opportunities to emerge from the AUKUS partnership with the US and Australia, alongside a renewed focus on sales of the Boxer armoured fighting vehicle.

Rupert Pearce, the National Armaments Director, said the deals underscored the UK’s strategy of combining economic growth with international cooperation.

“These export successes reflect the NAD Group’s mission to strengthen international partnerships while driving economic growth at home,” Pearce said.

“By working as one integrated organisation, we’re facilitating access to UK defence capability for our allies to access world-leading UK defence capability, creating jobs and prosperity across the country whilst building the collective deterrence we all need.”

By Tamilla Hasanova