Invites four countries to compete for Norwegian frigates contract

- The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years. Norway is an important maritime nation in NATO, and through this and other maritime investments we will be strengthening both national and allied security, said Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjørn Arild Gram at a press conference Tuesday, as he invited France, Germany, UK and US to discussions on strategic partnerships for the building of the frigates.

Collaboration with Norwegian partners

The Norwegian Government intends to make its final decision on a future strategic partner during 2025.

Though the mail supplier will be chosen from one of these four countries, the Minister of Defence stressed the importance of identifying potential industrial opportunities. The supplier will depend on the Norwegian maritime value chain to fulfil the contract.

- This investment not only enhances our naval capabilities but also strengthens Norway’s industrial base, creating jobs and spurring innovation in our maritime sector, underlined Mr. Gram and continued:

Norwegian Minister of Defence, Mr. Bjørn Arild Gram, Photo: Trond A. Isaksen.

- The Norwegian Government’s goal is that our planned maritime investments should help generate jobs and opportunities throughout the country. A key consideration will therefore be the ability for Norwegian technology and industry to contribute to the development and sustainment of both our own future frigates and those of our chosen strategic partner.

Cutting-edge technology

The new vessels are planned to be designed with cutting-edge technology and sustainability in mind.

The plan stresses 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 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 Minister of Defence concluded.

Greater Bergen’s role in Norway’s naval future  

The aquistions of the frigates was presented in th Norwegian national budget 2024, where NOK 600 billion was allocted to the Armed Forces from this year to 2036, in addition to the frigates, the Navy plans to acquire five new submarines, and a standardized vessel class of up to ten large and eighteen smaller vessels.

Haakonsvern serves as the headquarters for the Norwegian Navy and home base for various naval vessels, including submarines, corvettes, mine sweepers, frigates, and logistics and support ships. The base hosts around 5400 personnel, including officers, conscripts, and civilian staff. Photo: Jacob Østheim.

Haakonsvern is the largest naval base in Scandinavia and is located in Bergen and the Norwegian naval fleet is mostly operated from here. This poises Bergen to benefit from the new frigates as the base will serve as a central hub for their operations, offering logistical support and acting as a training ground for naval personnel. Local businesses specializing in maintenance, software development, and maritime engineering are expected to secure contracts related to the project, further solidifying Bergen’s position as a cornerstone of Norway’s naval defence ecosystem.  

Invest in Bergen recons the frigate project could be a game-changer for the local economy.  

- We believe this acquisition represents a huge opportunity for the region. It will not only bring investments to Bergen’s defence and maritime industries but also create a ripple effect across other sectors, from technology to education, says Tone Hartvedt, Managing Director of Invest in Bergen.  

For businesses and stakeholders in Bergen looking to engage with this monumental project, Invest in Bergen offers tailored support to help navigate opportunities and foster long-term partnerships.  Don’t hesitate to contact any of our advisors.

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