NATO’s Massive Shipbuilding Campaign

This past year, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Allies have confronted the reality of a more transactional United States. As a result, nations are aligning to fill capability gaps and take on an ever-greater share of Alliance security burdens. Allies both small and large are proving their worth beyond rhetoric, backing commitments from the Arctic to the Mediterranean Sea through maximised defence production, procurement, and dramatic funding increases, including a new agreement to scale military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The surge is perhaps most notable in the maritime domain, in which full-spectrum platforms are being built, coastal defences strengthened, and warfighting capabilities expanded in the High North and throughout NATO areas of operation. If this momentum is sustained over the long term, Alliance naval forces will consolidate levels of utility, lethality, and resilience unseen for decades.

The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are coordinating to create a regional anti-access/area-denial network. Estonia’s Blue Spear anti-ship missile batteries are now operational and will be integrated with Latvia’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) coastal defence systems, which are expected to begin deliveries next year. Lithuania is refurbishing a retired British mine countermeasures (MCM) ship (ex-HMS Quorn) and is looking to acquire several new MCM and patrol ships in the longer term. Estonia also is considering long-term acquisition of up to 12 new 200- to 300-foot patrol craft.

The first Belgian mine countermeasures mothership, the Oostende, was delivered in November 2025. Naval Group.

Belgium and the Netherlands are planning for up to seven 6,400-ton anti-submarine warfare frigates. Four are planned for Dutch service and two to three for Belgium, with deliveries expected in the early 2030s. The two NATO neighbors are cooperating on a 12-ship MCM mothership program known as the City-class. In November 2025, Belgium took delivery of its first 2,800-ton MCM ship, the Oostende, while the first Dutch sister ship Vlissingen was delivered on 27 February 2026. Deliveries for the remaining 10 ships are expected to run through 2030.

Construction is underway in France on Belgium’s new coastal patrol ship the Vega, to be delivered in 2027. Last fall, the Netherlands commissioned the 22,000-ton combat-support ship Den Helder, which provides the fleet with underway replenishment, transport, and medical capabilities. The Dutch ATS amphibious ship transport program will see six multipurpose warships, displacing approximately 12,000 tons, enter service in the early 2030s to replace aging amphibious ships and patrol vessels. The Dutch Navy also will upgrade the four De Zeven Provinciën–class air-defense frigates with Tomahawk cruise missiles, with deliveries to start in 2028.

Construction is set to begin later this year on the first of four 3,300-ton Orka-class diesel-electric submarines for the Netherlands. The submarines are based on a non-nuclear variant of the French Barracuda/Suffren design, with the first two units expected in service by 2034.

Bulgaria is acquiring two 2,300-ton Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels. The first of these, the Hrabri, joined the fleet in December 2025, and the Smeli will commission in 2026. The helicopter-carrying warships are armed with RBS-15 Mk 3 anti-ship missiles, a vertical launch system (VLS) for surface-to-air missiles, and ASW torpedoes. Bulgaria also has ordered NSMs for coastal defence, with deliveries planned by 2030.

Canada intends to buy 15 7,800-ton multi-mission River-class destroyers, based on the British Type 26 design. The Canadian Aegis warships will enter service between 2035 and 2050 and integrate SPY-7 radar, cooperative engagement capability, and a Mk 41 VLS carrying SM-2 air-defence and Tomahawk cruise missiles. In August 2025, the RCN received the Robert Hampton Gray, its sixth and final 6,600-ton Harry DeWolf–class Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship/Vessel (AOPV/S). Two more are being built for the Canadian Coast Guard.

Next year, the first of two 20,000-ton Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships is expected to be delivered and a second, to be named the Preserver, is expected to be launched in 2026. Canada aims to acquire a fleet of 12 non-nuclear submarines for delivery in the mid-2030s. Up to 16 CP-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft also are planned, with deliveries expected between 2027 and 2028.

Denmark is expanding Arctic capabilities and high-end collective defence enabled by significant increases in defence spending. Five new 3,500-ton multirole Arctic Patrol Vessels are planned for service by 2030, with construction set to begin next year. To boost Arctic and maritime surveillance capabilities, Denmark is investing in MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for delivery in the late 2020s and is experimenting with unmanned surface vessels, including the 33-foot Saildrone Voyager.

In 2025, Denmark began testing Saildrone Voyager-class unmanned surface vessels to boost maritime surveillance capabilities. Saildrone.

Denmark is buying hundreds of naval mines for delivery between 2027 and 2029, and coastal defence is being boosted via new NSM coastal defence batteries, which were ordered late in 2025 for deliveries beginning in 2026. The NSM also is replacing Harpoon missiles on Danish surface combatants. The Navy is weighing upgrades to its Iver Huitfeldt–class guided-missile frigates against the acquisition of a new class of air-defence warships, with a decision expected soon.

Finland is building four 4,300-ton Pohjanmaa-class helicopter-carrying corvettes that will be fitted with the Mk 41 VLS. In May 2025, the lead ship Pohjanmaa was launched, and by early 2026, more were under construction. Deliveries of the four warships will take place between 2027 and 2029.

France is planning for a new 80,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, to be named the France Libre, under the Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération (PANG) program. Construction is expected to begin in 2032, with delivery around 2038 to replace the Charles de Gaulle. During 2025, France continued validation of the new Aster-30 B1NT surface-to-air missile, set to provide advanced ballistic-missile defence capabilities to French and Allied fleets.

The French Aster-30 B1NT surface-to-air missile will provide advanced ballistic-missile defence capabilities to French and Allied fleets. Naval Group.

The first of five 4,500-ton Amiral Ronarc’h–class multipurpose frigates was delivered in October 2025 under the FDI (Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention) program. Four more will join the fleet by the early 2030s. Three of the six 1,300-ton Félix Éboué–class patrol ships are currently operational under the Patrouilleur Outre-mer overseas patrol vessel program. Three additional units will be delivered during 2026 and 2027. The second of four planned 31,000-ton Jacques Chevallier–class replenishment oilers, the Jacques Stosskopf, was delivered in November 2025 and a third ship will deliver in 2027.

In 2025, the third 5,300-ton Suffren-class (Barracuda) nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN), the Tourville, was commissioned, and the fourth boat, the De Grasse, began sea trials in February 2026. Two sister SSNs are under construction for delivery by 2029.

In early 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase the number of French nuclear warheads to deter rising global threats. What had previously been known as the SNLE-3G nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) program has been officially named the Invincible-class. Construction is already underway on the first of these four SSBNs, which are expected to begin replacing the Le Triomphant-class beginning around 2036.

Germany is planning for six 10,500-ton Niedersachsen-class frigates (F126) to be delivered from the early 2030s. The class will be able to carry flexible multipurpose mission modules and two helicopters and will be fitted with the Mk 41 VLS and NSM antiship missiles. To hedge against ongoing delays in the F126 program, Germany intends to acquire four new MEKO A-200 DEU frigates. Eight even larger 12,000-ton Aegis-equipped F127 next-generation anti-air warfare frigates are planned for service from the mid-2030s. They will carry SPY-6 radar and a 96-cell VLS that is expected to incorporate SM-6 missiles for air and ballistic-missile defense. Germany also plans to acquire three large remote missile vessels to serve as uncrewed ‘wingman’ arsenal ships. They will provide additional magazine depth for the future F127 frigates once they enter service.

The tenth and final 1,840-ton Braunschweig-class (K130) corvette Lübeck is under construction, and the ninth unit, the Augsburg, will commission this year. The first of two 20,000-ton Type 707 replenishment tankers is expected for delivery by 2027, and the second ship was launched in November 2025. Germany has ordered six Type 212CD (common design) air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines and may order three more in the future. Delivery of the first submarine, being developed jointly with Norway, is expected in 2032.

Germany took delivery of its first P-8A Poseidon aircraft in October 2025 and NH90 Sea Tiger helicopters in December 2025. Current plans call for a total of 8 to 12 P-8s and 31 Sea Tigers by 2030.

Greece is acquiring four 4,500-ton Kimon-class frigates based on the French FDI program. The first was delivered in December 2025. Sisters Nearchos and Formion are scheduled for delivery by the end of 2026, and the fourth was ordered in November 2025 for delivery by 2029.

The frigate Kimon was delivered to Greece in December 2025. She is the first of four based on a French design. Naval Group.

Greece expects to finalise a deal later this year for the transfer of two in-service Carlo Bergamini–class (FREMM) frigates from Italy, with an option for two more. Greece has been fitting SPIKE NLOS missiles onto some of its Machitis-class patrol ships and is working to upgrade existing MEKO 200HN (Hydra-class) frigates and modernise its Type 214HN submarine fleet. The Hellenic Navy also has begun planning to acquire four cruise missile–armed submarines in the long term.

Italy’s 10^th Carlo Bergamini–class frigate, the Emilio Bianchi, joined the fleet in the summer of 2025. The 11^th and 12^th ships are more advanced FREMM Evolution (EVO) variants and will enter service by 2030. Italy is reportedly negotiating to transfer between two and four of its older FREMM frigates to Greece. Italy previously transferred two unfinished Thaon di Revel–class (PPA) configurable multipurpose offshore patrol vessels to Indonesia, and they arrived there last year. The fifth Italian PPA is expected to be delivered in 2026 and two additional PPAs are planned for delivery by 2030.

Efforts are underway to design and acquire two next-generation 14,000-ton destroyers under the Italian DDX program. They will be armed with large-capacity VLS and are expected to enter service in the early 2030s. Italy’s second 27,000-ton Vulcano-class logistic support ship was delivered in December 2025. In February 2026, the keel on the first of Italy’s U212 NFSs (near future submarines) was laid down. Four U212 NFSs are planned for delivery beginning in 2029, with an option for two additional boats in the early 2030s.

Norway selected the British Type 26 design for its future frigate program and plans to acquire at least five of the 8,000-ton ships to replace the Fridtjof Nansen-class. Construction is set to kick off shortly with deliveries to begin around 2030.

Up to ten large 2,000-ton and 18 medium 1,000-ton modular patrol ships are planned for the Norwegian Navy and Coast Guard. Current plans call for construction to begin in 2027, with deliveries expected to begin in 2030. Norway has increased its commitment to the German-Norwegian Type 212CD submarine program and intends to acquire six of the 2,800-ton AIP submarines. The first Norwegian boat is expected to be delivered in 2029.

Poland has ordered three 7,000-ton Miecznik-class frigates, built locally and based on the British Type 31 design. The first ship, to be named the Wicher, will be launched later this year and delivered in 2028. Two sisters are expected by 2032.

Poland’s fourth and fifth 830-ton Kormoran II–class minehunters are expected to commission by 2027. The sixth was launched in December 2025 and will join the fleet in 2027.

The first of two 2,200-ton DELFIN-class signals intelligence ships was launched 1 July 2025, and the second ship was launched in January 2026. Deliveries are projected for 2027 and 2028. Poland ordered three Swedish A26 Blekinge-class submarines in November 2025 for delivery in the early 2030s. In early 2026, Poland laid the keel for a new 6,500-ton submarine rescue and critical infrastructure protection ship to be named the Ratownik. She is scheduled to enter service in 2029.

Portugal’s 7,000-ton multifunction drone mother ship the D. João II is scheduled for launch in 2026. She is designed to operate unmanned air, surface, and underwater vehicles to enhance maritime surveillance and research capabilities. Six additional 1,600-ton Viana do Castelo–class offshore patrol vessels are being built for delivery between 2027 and 2030. Portugal reportedly plans to acquire three FREMM EVO frigates for service in the 2030s. If confirmed, a contract can be expected later this year.

Romania is modernising its fleet to counter increasing Black Sea threats. NSMs are scheduled to arrive in 2026, boosting coastal defense. A new 2,300-ton Turkish Hisar-class corvette will enter service this year and also will be armed with NSMs. Romania is taking over the corvette, originally built for Turkey, rather than starting from scratch. Romania hopes to acquire two submarines in the longer-term future.

Romania has acquired the first Turkish Hisar-class offshore patrol vessel directly from the production line. The ship, previously named the Akhisar, will enter Romanian service this year. The second ship was delivered to Turkey in December 2025. ASFAT.

Spain is the only NATO member not pledging to spend 5% of its GDP on defense by 2035, focusing instead on maintaining an earlier goal of at least 2%. The lead Bonifaz-class frigate launched in September 2025 and is slated for a 2028 commissioning under the five-ship program. The 6,100-ton vessels feature the Aegis system, AN/SPY-7(V)2 radar, and a Mk 41 VLS. Deliveries of the frigates will continue through the early 2030s. The older Álvaro de Bazán–class Aegis frigates also will be upgraded for viability into the 2040s.

Two Meteoro-class patrol ships were ordered late in 2025. They will be the seventh and eighth of the class, and construction is planned to begin in 2027. In November 2025, the keel was laid for a new submarine rescue variant of the Meteoro design, to support the Isaac Peral–class submarines. In late 2025, the Isaac Peral conducted its debut NATO deployment. Three additional boats are planned. The Narciso Monturiol was launched in November 2025, for delivery by 2027. The third and fourth submarines will be delivered with AIP systems, which will be retrofitted to the first two boats later. Deliveries of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters will begin in 2026, with all eight expected by next year.

Sweden is planning to acquire a new class of four 3,000-ton Luleå-class surface combatants focused on anti-submarine warfare and air-defence for delivery in the early 2030s. The five Visby-class stealth corvettes are being upgraded and retrofitted with an advanced Sea Ceptor air-defense VLS, Type 47 lightweight torpedoes, and RBS-15 Mk 4 antiship missiles. Two new 2,100-ton (submerged) Blekinge-class AIP-capable submarines are planned under the A26 program. The first of these is expected by 2031 and the second in 2033.

Turkey’s eight-ship Istanbul-class 3,100-ton frigate program reportedly was expanded in 2026 following a deal to transfer the second and fourth frigates to Indonesia. The lead ship Istanbul is fully operational, and the third ship, the İzmit, was launched in 2025. The fifth ship, the Akdeniz, was launched on 4 February 2026. Two additional frigates will be acquired by Turkey to replace the two transferred to Indonesia.

In 2025 construction began on the first 8,300-ton Tepe-class air-defence destroyers under the TF-2000 program. As many as eight TF-2000s are eventually planned for service from the early 2030s. The first of Turkey’s new 2,300-ton Hisar-class off shore patrol vessel is transferring to Romania, so the second ship, the Koçhisar, became the first to join the Turkish fleet in December 2025.

Turkey has begun construction on an indigenous 60,000-ton short-takeoff aircraft carrier able to operate up to 50 aircraft with a ‘ski-jump’ and arresting wires. Launch of the carrier will likely take place by 2028 for delivery by 2030. The Ç-159, first of eight planned 1,100-ton LCM landing craft, entered Turkish service in December 2025; the remaining LCMs are scheduled for delivery by 2027.

Turkey’s second AIP-capable Type 214TN submarine, the Hızır Reis, entered service in December 2025, and four more are planned for delivery by 2029. The 2,700-ton MİLDEN National Submarine program also is underway with plans to build AIP-capable submarines for service in the 2030s.

The United Kingdom is planning to acquire eight 8,000-ton City-class (Type 26) ASW frigates and five 5,700-ton Inspiration-class (Type 31) general-purpose frigates over the next decade. The Glasgow, first of the Type 26 frigates, is fitting out and expected to be delivered in 2028, with the remaining seven frigates to follow by 2035. The first Type 31 frigate, the Venturer, was launched in June 2025 and is expected to join the fleet around 2027. In December 2025 construction began on the future Resurgent, the first of three 39,000-ton fleet solid support ships planned for delivery to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary beginning in 2031.

The Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class SSN, was commissioned in September 2025. She is pictured here during dive testing. BAE Systems.

In September 2025, the Agamemnon, the Royal Navy’s sixth Astute-class SSN, was commissioned. The seventh and final of the class, the Achilles, is expected to be completed in 2029. As many as 12 new SSNs are planned under the AUKUS program, with boats entering service in the late 2030s or early 2040s. Work on the four 17,200-ton Dreadnought-class SSBNs continues, and in September 2025 steel was cut on the fourth and final boat of the class, to be named the King George VI. The SSBNs are expected to begin entering service in the early 2030s.

The 65,000-ton short-take-off-and-vertical-landing carrier Prince of Wales returned home from an eight-month deployment in November, during which she operated an air wing of between 18 and 24 F-35B strike fighters. By November 2025, 41 F-35B jets had been delivered to the United Kingdom, with at least 74 planned for service by 2033.

This article originally appeared in the U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings. Copyright U.S. Naval Institute. Reprinted with permission. For more great content from the U.S. Naval Institute, visit www.usni.org.