The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has announced its intention to invite the French, German, British and US governments to begin discussions regarding a potential strategic partnership for new frigates to replace the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof Nansen class.
“The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Bjørn Arild Gram. “Norway is an important maritime nation in NATO, and through this and other maritime investments we will be strengthening both national and allied security.”
In June 2024, the Norwegian Parliament passed a new long-term plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces, which calls for the acquisition of a minimum of five, optionally six, new anti-submarine frigates with embarked anti-submarine helicopters. The plan notes that the new frigates are not to be procured as stand-alone vessels, “but through a long-term and mutually beneficial strategic partnership with a close ally with strategic interests closely aligned with those of Norway”. This strategic partnership is to include joint acquisition, operation, maintenance, continuous development and upgrades of the new frigates throughout their service life.
To limit the need for upgrades of the Fridtjof Nansen class, Norway is also looking to accelerate the acquisition by joining an existing production line for such vessels. “Solid and predictable cooperation on security and defence policy will be at the heart of the strategic partnership that we envision, which will include everything from force generation to operations and joint development of new capabilities. It is therefore essential that we and our partners have the same long-term interests,” said the Minister.
The Norwegian Government intends to take a final decision on a future strategic partner in 2025. In the selection process, the Minister of Defence stressed the importance of identifying potential industrial opportunities.
“The Norwegian Government’s goal is that our planned maritime investments should help generate jobs and opportunities throughout the country,” Gram concluded. “A key consideration will therefore be the ability for Norwegian technology and industry to contribute to the development and sustainment of our own future frigates and those of our chosen strategic partner.”
