Royal Navy is so short of ships we're buying them from Norway... for £90million

Published: 18:19 EST, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 18:19 EST, 12 November 2026 The Royal Navy is having to shell out £90million for warships from Norway to replace its ageing fleet.Eight crewed warships are due to be retired by 2031 – including three mine-hunting Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs).Admirals will now buy three foreign vessels rather than building ships from scratch in British yards, but the first Norwegian OSV will not be delivered for five years.The blow comes despite Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warning of an increasing Russian threat to the UK, including a 41 per cent increase in naval activity in our economic waters this year.The Navy's 'fighting fleet' – its frigates and destroyers – has been reduced to just 11 warships, with many of those out of service and requiring long-term maintenance.The purchase of the Norwegian OSVs and the option to buy three more was unveiled by Mr Streeting at the Atlantic Future Forum aboard HMS Prince of Wales.The £3.5billion aircraft carrier has docked in Oslo as part of a lengthy deployment to the North Atlantic and the Arctic.It comes despite a report by the Commons defence committee warning Britain has insufficient ships to defend the region, which could allow Russia to plunder the Arctic for energy resources and to control shipping routes. The purchase of the Norwegian OSVs and the option to buy three more was unveiled by Defence Secretary Wes Streeting at the Atlantic Future Forum aboard HMS Prince of Wales (pictured) The blow comes despite Mr Streeting warning of an increasing Russian threat to the UK, including a 41 per cent increase in naval activity in our economic waters this year. Russia is relying on gas and oil reserves and hydrocarbon in the Arctic to support its future economy. The High North is also rich in platinum, palladium and nickel.Mr Streeting said Vladimir Putin 'is rebuilding Russia's presence' in the Arctic, adding: 'This is highly strategic terrain, the causeway from Europe to North America and the gateway to Britain's backyard. That's why Britain is stepping up.'He said troop numbers in Norway have doubled, and announced that the UK will procure three vessels with an option for three more.According to the Royal Navy, the Norwegian warships are a key step in building capability to support anti-submarine warfare on Nato's northern flank.MPs also highlighted a shortage of submarines, with First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins admitting the issue was responsible for vessels conducting increasingly longer patrols. He said improving maintenance and readiness is the thing he focuses on 'by far the most'.Delays in turning around submarines has forced HMS Vengeance, armed with Trident nuclear missiles, to hit a seven-month patrol milestone – they are designed to conduct three-month missions.The Daily Mail's Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign is calling on the Government to boost spending on the Armed Forces.