Scotland defence role highlighted at Oslo security summit

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Scotland defence at Oslo summit

Highlights

UK defence investment in Scotland will reach £2.53 billion in 2025/26, the highest recorded level, supporting 26,300 jobs including 12,200 in industry.
Norway's £10 billion warship order for Clyde shipyards and new Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, co-funded by the Scottish Government, drive regional growth and re-industrialisation.
The UK and allies will expand High North operations this autumn, with the Joint Expeditionary Force executing its largest activity and employing Artificial Intelligence to protect undersea assets.

Oslo forum spotlights Scotland's defence capacity

As reported by GOV.UK, Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander is joining defence leaders in Oslo for the Atlantic Future Forum, where he is due to present Scotland's role in supporting the UK's security and that of its allies.

The summit is being co-hosted by the UK and Norway aboard HMS Prince of Wales, an aircraft carrier built in Rosyth. It marks the first time the annual gathering has been held in mainland Europe, which the UK government describes as a signal of its commitment to European security and the High North.

Alexander is set to point to assets including HMNB Clyde, which supports the UK's nuclear deterrent, and Quick Reaction Alert Typhoons at RAF Lossiemouth, which stand ready to protect UK airspace. He is also expected to argue that Scotland's defence sector is central to wider capability building and re-industrialisation efforts.

Investment, jobs and regional industry focus

According to the UK government, defence investment in Scotland reaches £2.53 billion in 2025/26, the highest level since records began. The Ministry of Defence also supports 26,300 jobs in Scotland, including 12,200 in industry.

The government says this support is being reinforced through the Scotland Defence Growth Deal and the launch of two Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, with the Scottish Government agreeing to match fund the initiative. The programme is aimed at developing skills for younger workers needed for future defence capability.

Alexander also links the case for further investment to Norway's £10 billion deal for warships to be built on the Clyde. More broadly, the UK says it is stepping up activity in the High North, with the Joint Expeditionary Force carrying out its largest military activity to date this autumn and using Artificial Intelligence with allies to track threats to undersea infrastructure and monitor Russia's shadow fleet.

The Atlantic Future Forum brings together defence ministers, military chiefs, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, industry leaders and academics.

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