Norway engages in dialogue with France, Great Britain, Germany and the United States about strategic cooperation on the frigate acquisition

19/11/2024 – France, Great Britain, Germany and the USA have been selected as possible partner countries when Norway is to buy new frigates. Frigates are the most expensive single procurement we will make in the Norwegian Armed Forces going forward. Norway is an important maritime state in NATO. The investment in the Norwegian Navy is important both for our security and that of our allies, says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp).

In the adopted long-term plan for the defense sector, it is agreed that five new ocean-going frigates will be acquired with an option for one more frigate. The frigates are to be equipped with maritime helicopters with anti-submarine capability.

When Norway is to buy new frigates for the Norwegian Navy, we will enter into a long-term strategic partnership with one nation with mutual benefit for both nations.

Selection of relevant strategic partners has been made after an overall assessment within the framework of security policy conditions and the nations’ frigate programme.

The partnership will build on cooperation within operations, industry, maintenance, and research and development, which will also create value and jobs in Norway.

The government aims to select the strategic partner for the frigate procurement during 2025.

A solid and predictable security and defense political cooperation is the foundation for a strategic partnership for the acquisition and operation of frigates. It is crucial that Norway and the partner nation have mutual long-term interests. Through the strategic work, we should aim for close cooperation on force production, operations and the development of joint capabilities, says Gram.

Industrial conditions will also be important for choosing a partner.

It is the government’s clear ambition that the new fleet plan will create ripple effects, jobs and value creation all around the country, says Gram.

The work with Fleet Plan 2024

The biggest investment in the new long-term plan is the development of the future Navy. The fleet plan will add up to ten ocean-going and 18 coastal standard vessels, a minimum of five new frigates with helicopters and six submarines to the Navy.

The Norwegian Defense Forces will develop a standardized class of vessels in various sizes, in both ocean-going and coastal versions. The vessels will be developed to solve both the Coast Guard’s and the Navy’s tasks. For preparedness reasons, it is necessary to continue and further develop national expertise in the construction and maintenance of the Navy’s vessels, and the government assumes that Norwegian industry can deliver a standardized vessel class in line with national needs.

There is considerable expertise in building and equipping advanced ships in Norway. Norwegian maritime industry has designed and equipped several vessels for the Norwegian Navy in recent years. The government believes that the Norwegian maritime industry and the Norwegian defense industry will be able to work together to deliver good and competitive vessels to the Norwegian Armed Forces, contribute to increased employment and industrial development, as well as opportunities for increased exports. There is great potential for the entire value chain of the Norwegian maritime industry in the development and construction of a standardized vessel class, says Gram.

Status in the work on the frigate procurement

The further and formal dialogue with the four relevant nations started this week. In parallel, the procurement process is initiated.

In November, the Ministry of Defense (FD) received a Concept Selection Assessment (KVU) for new frigates. KVU is sent to external quality assurance (KS1) starting in November. Results from KS1 are expected to be forwarded to the Ministry of Defense in March 2025.

The Norwegian Armed Forces, with support from Forsvarsmateriel, Forsvarsbygg and the Norwegian Defense Research Institute, are commissioned to carry out a preliminary project for project 1180 Replacement capacity for frigates.

Source Norwegian Ministry of Defence

File photo courtesy Royal Norwegian Navy