Why Norway's Type 26 decision matters

What do you think of reactions to Norway's Type 26 deal?

Broadly positive, with a possible further British batch if existing slots go to Norway, but transferring already named hulls could provoke local objections.

The reaction is broadly positive, with the possibility that Norway could receive ships from Britain's second Type 26 batch. Replacing those hulls to retain eight British ships would then require another order and could provide an opportunity to increase the total. A suggestion that Norway might take three ships is rejected in favour of a maximum of two. Another suggestion favours a larger design for the next batch, although a combined British-Norwegian order is considered more likely. Transferring ships already named for British cities creates an additional difficulty. Clarke draws on his canvassing experience to argue that people with little interest in naval procurement can still object strongly to losing a ship associated with their locality.