The Nansen Class Frigates were designed and built by Navantia for the Norwegian Navy. Credit: ZorroIII/commons.wikimedia.org (Creative Commons).

The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has announced plans to engage the French, German, British, and US governments in discussions about a potential strategic partnership for the delivery of new frigates.  

This initiative aims to replace the Royal Norwegian Navy’s existing Fridtjof Nansen-class vessels through a collaborative approach. 

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In June 2024, the Norwegian Parliament approved the Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces.  

This plan includes acquiring at least five, potentially six, new anti-submarine frigates equipped with embarked anti-submarine helicopters.  

The acquisition is intended to be part of a strategic partnership with a close ally, ensuring mutual benefits and aligned strategic interests. 

The proposed partnership will encompass joint acquisition, operation, maintenance, and continuous development of the new frigates throughout their service life.  

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To expedite the process, Norway is considering joining an existing production line to minimise the need for upgrades to the Fridtjof Nansen-class. 

Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram said: “The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years.  

“Solid and predictable cooperation on both 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.” 

The Norwegian Government plans to finalise its decision on a strategic partner by 2025.  

The Nansen Class Frigates, delivered between 2006 and 2011, were designed and built by Navantia for the Norwegian Navy.  

Since 2013, Navantia has been supporting the Norwegian Navy in sustaining and maintaining these frigates.  

In 2022, Navantia secured a contract for the modernisation of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof Nansen Class (F-310) frigates.