Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace will, once again, upgrade the combat systems for the Norwegian Navy’s six Ula-class submarines.
A new agreement was signed with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency for the upgrades that will, the contractor says, extend the opertional life of the submarines until the Nordic nation’s next-generation 212CD submarines are ready to enter service in the 2030s.
Valued at Nkr436m ($41.56m), the deal will fill a gap in Norway’s maritime force structure. Though, the Ula-class boats are approaching the end of their lives – units were originally procured between 1989-92, according to GlobalData intelligence – the upgrades will ensure Norway, a significant strategic partner in Nato’s Northern Flank, maintains its undersea readiness.
Although Thyssenkrupp Nordseewerke constructed the boats, Kongsberg provided the combat system to the class and has previously conducted upgrade programmes.
Ula-class submarines are one of the quieter and more manoeuvrable submarines in the world. It can hardly be detected by enemy surface vessels due to its trimmed profile.
It has a length of 59 metres, beam of 5.4m and a draft of 4.6m. The surfaced and submerged displacements of the submarine are 1,040 tonnes and 1,150t respectively. The submarine can accommodate 21 crew members.
Ula-class combat system
The Kongsberg MSI-90U command and weapons control system of Ula is based on a high-capacity databus and a distributed computer system. The system uses a local area network or point-to-point connections to communicate with the onboard sensors, weapons and navigation system.
The multifunction operator console provides tactical information based on the data available from sensors and other sources. The MSI-90U is also operational with the Type U212A submarines of Germany and Italy.
Next-generation 212CD submarines
Just like the Ula-class, the future 212CD programme is jointly developed by Norway and Germany. The German Navy will receive two boats, while four will be delivered to the Royal Norwegian Navy.
The German and Norwegian governments signed an agreement for the joint development, procurement, operation and maintenance of the submarines in June 2017. The cooperation also extends to naval missiles, strengthening the cooperation between the navies as well as expanding industrial, research and development cooperation.
The non-nuclear Type 212CD submarine will have a length of approximately 73m, beam of 10m and height of 13m. The surface displacement of the submarine will be 2,500m³.
Recently, it was reported that the German and Norwegian governments will increase the number of 212CD boats, with Norway’s order growing to six hulls.
Stoking expectations, Christian Rogge, head of Operating Unit Submarines at Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, commented: “We also have sufficient production capacity. We are ready when further option boats are needed.”
