OSLO, Aug 31 (Reuters) - The Norwegian navy plans to

order a fleet of British-made frigates to boost the country's

maritime defences, Norway's government said on Sunday.

Germany, France, Britain and the United States had offered

rival frigate designs in competition for what is expected to be

NATO-member Norway's largest military procurement to date.

The government's decision means that Norway will now enter

final contract negotiations, making the choice of supplier all

but certain.

"The frigates are an essential part of our defense because

they are key to defend our sovereignty," Prime Minister Jonas

Gahr Stoere told a press conference.

British officials, seeking economies of scale for their own

navy and to boost Scotland's shipyard industry, had heavily

promoted the BAE Systems' frigates, known as the T-26

City-class.

Stoere said the government sought to answer two

questions in its selection process.

"Who is our most strategic partner? And who has

delivered the best frigates? ... The answer to both is the

United Kingdom," he said.

The Nordic nation of 5.6 million people shares a border with

Russia and is ramping up defense spending in light of Moscow's

invasion of Ukraine and U.S. President Donald Trump's demand

that NATO allies must bolster their own military strength.