Norway set to buy frigates from the United Kingdom
The purchase of British Type-26 frigates will be the largest Norwegian defence capability investment to date. Delivery will start in 2030, the Government announced on Sunday.
In February, the Norwegian and British Defense Ministers rode on snowmobiles along the border with Russia and discussed the dramatically worsening security situation in Europe. The day after, the two announced a deeper and more ambitious defence agreement.
Today, half a year later, the Norwegian Government said it had selected the United Kingdom as a strategic partner for the acquisition of new frigates.
Norway will acquire five or six vessels at a total price of 125 billion kroner (€10,6 billion). It is the biggest military investment by Norway ever.
"I am confident that the strategic partnership with the UK for purchasing, developing and operating frigates is the right decision," PM Jonas Gahr Støre said at the press-briefing in Oslo on August 31.
"The choice represents a historic strengthening of the defence cooperation between our two countries," said Støre.
The Prime Minister underlined that buying new frigates will strengthen Norway and NATO’s ability to patrol and protect the maritime areas in the High North.
"This is of great importance to Norwegian, British and allied security in these times of global instability," Støre said.
Since November last year, Norwegian authorities have considered France, Germany, USA and UK as strategic partners for frigates.
The Type-26 frigates are warships specifically designed to detect, track down and combat submarines. The Norwegian and British vessels will be as identical as possible, and will have the same technical specifications.
The warship is 20,8 meter wide, 151 meters long and will have a crew of about 166.
"Having identical vessels will enable us to operate even more efficiently together on challenging missions. It will also reduce costs and make joint maintenance easier. Additionally, it opens up the possibility for us to perform joint training of personnel, and perhaps even use Norwegian and British crew interchangeably. This is something we will look into further within the framework of the strategic partnership," Defense Minister Tore Sandvik said.
Chief of Defense, General Eirik Kristoffersen said the decision to choose frigates from the UK is supported by the military.
"Norway has close maritime cooperation with the United Kingdom, a cooperation that has been ongoing since the Second World War. The United Kingdom is the best strategic partner for frigate procurement," Kristoffersen said.
