Norwegian defence planners are considering reducing the number of new frigates to be acquired under the country’s long-term force structure, according to reporting by Norwegian newspaper VG, amid rising costs elsewhere in the armed forces investment programme.
VG reports that the Norwegian government and senior defence leadership are assessing whether fewer frigates than previously approved by the Storting could be procured, as the overall cost of rearmament continues to increase. The outlet cites multiple sources within both the defence establishment and government system, while noting that no final decision has yet been taken and that the Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on internal deliberations.
Under Norway’s long-term defence plan adopted unanimously by parliament in 2024, the Royal Norwegian Navy was due to receive five new frigates. However, VG reports that the government is now working on a revised plan, with Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik previously acknowledging that costs have exceeded the framework set by parliament.
A key driver appears to be submarine procurement. According to VG, the Storting has now unanimously approved the acquisition of two additional submarines, in line with advice from the Chief of Defence, General Eirik Kristoffersen, who has prioritised undersea capabilities. At the same time, the cost framework for the submarine programme has almost doubled, rising to around 96 billion Norwegian kroner. VG reports that the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with German shipbuilder TKMS for the additional boats last week.
“This means that bigger cuts must be made elsewhere, or more money must be put on the table,” VG states in its reporting, framing the frigate programme as one of several areas now under scrutiny.
The issue also intersects with Norway’s developing naval cooperation with the United Kingdom. A strategic agreement announced by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer envisages a new generation of frigates to be delivered by BAE Systems, with Starmer estimating the overall value of the deal at around £10 billion, or just over 130 billion kroner. However, VG notes that the political endorsement did not lock in a specific number of ships.
According to VG, the Ministry of Defence is now considering whether Norway could acquire fewer than five frigates in order to bring the revised long-term defence plan closer to the Storting’s approved spending framework of 1,624 billion kroner through to 2036. The newspaper adds that both the Red Party and the Centre Party have publicly argued for a reduction in numbers, favouring stricter prioritisation rather than an expanded financial envelope.
While the final decision will rest with the Storting once a revised plan is presented in the spring, the reporting highlights the growing trade-offs facing Norway’s defence modernisation effort as submarine, frigate and wider force investments compete within a constrained budget.
It’s good to know that UK isn’t the only nato country not taking their defence seriously
If we’re building fewer ships for Norway then maybe we could prioritise getting the RN’s escorts built at a sensible pace?
Just so long as the build slots they give up are the earlier ones rather than delaying our own replacements for only 3 ships.
MoD could step in and guarantee BAE that they can build 13 in total. That allows BAE to keep recruiting and training apprentices. One strategic lesson from the past 35 years, keep your defence contractors employed because trying to re-tool takes years and is disproportionately expensive.
Not entirely surprising. T 26 is bigger and more advanced than anything Norway has ever deployed. Given the size of it’s sovereign wealth fund, it’s hard to believe that financial constraints are the main reason for this possible change.
Norway doesn’t have a sovereign wealth fund per-say. It is a national pension fund and it can’t be used to finance government budgets.
The announcement was always up to 5 ships. Three is a pretty good number and it allows is to grow our own fleet faster which is more important than export jobs at the moment.