The United Kingdom has recorded over £20 billion in defence exports in 2025, the highest figure since official records began more than four decades ago, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Defence on Friday.

The milestone was disclosed in an official statement titled, “2025 sees highest British defence exports since records began in huge boost to workers and companies.”

The Ministry stated that the landmark export agreements will strengthen the UK’s strategic partnerships, enhance NATO’s defence capacity and sustain thousands of high-skilled jobs across the country.

It noted that the deals range from the export of the UK’s largest-ever warship to the biggest fighter jet sale in a generation, reflecting the swift implementation of the Strategic Defence Review’s goal of positioning defence as both a national security priority and a key contributor to economic growth.

A major highlight of the export drive is a £10 billion agreement with Norway for the supply of at least five Type 26 frigates, a deal expected to support about 4,000 jobs across more than 430 British businesses.

Commenting on the development, Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said: “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.”

In addition to the frigate agreement, the UK and Norway also signed the Lunna House agreement this month, committing both the Royal Navy and the Royal Norwegian Navy to joint operations aimed at countering Russian naval threats in the North Atlantic.

The Ministry further highlighted the Atlantic Bastion programme, a major transformation of the Royal Navy’s submarine-hunting capabilities that includes the deployment of uncrewed systems, as evidence of the UK’s determination to maintain maritime superiority.

Beyond naval exports, the UK completed an £8 billion deal to supply 20 Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye, a transaction expected to secure 20,000 jobs nationwide while reinforcing NATO’s collective defence posture.

Additional defence exports included the sale of 12 C-130 aircraft to Türkiye, valued at over £550 million, safeguarding approximately 1,400 skilled jobs in Cambridge.

The UK also exported 18 transporter vehicles to Czechia, manufactured by Devon-based firm Supacat, further expanding the reach of British defence manufacturing.

Speaking on the wider impact of the export achievements, Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director, said: “These export successes reflect the NAD Group’s mission to strengthen international partnerships while driving economic growth at home.

“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.”

Also commenting, Avril Jolliffe, Director General of International Collaboration and Exports, 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.

“This isn’t just about selling equipment – it’s about building defence partnerships that support collective security and UK economic objectives.”

Looking ahead, the UK plans to build on the record-breaking performance of 2025 by pursuing additional export opportunities in 2026, particularly in advanced aircraft, maritime technology and armoured transport vehicles.

The Ministry explained that recent structural reforms, including the creation of the National Armaments Director Group and the International Collaboration and Exports team, are intended to solidify the UK’s status as a leading global defence exporter.

It added that through strengthened partnerships across NATO and AUKUS allies, the record defence exports achieved in 2025 have not only boosted the UK economy but also reinforced the country’s position as a major force in global security.