Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Salt Ship Design have been selected by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency to develop a design concept for a new class of standardised naval vessels, the companies said.
The programme is intended to reshape Norway’s fleet structure, replacing more than ten existing vessel classes with a smaller number of standardised designs to simplify maintenance, reduce costs and improve operational flexibility, according to the company.
“A standardised fleet based on KONGSBERG and SALT’s expertise… will simplify maintenance, reduce costs and ensure more efficient operations for the Navy,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The contract follows a prequalification process launched in January covering up to 28 vessels, with the winning team now tasked with developing a common design framework that could underpin both national and export programmes.
Kongsberg and SALT said the work could form the basis of an “international class” of vessels, with Norway seeking to align future procurement more closely with allied partners.
The Norwegian government has indicated that deliveries could extend beyond its own navy, including potential involvement with the United Kingdom, stating that “the deliveries of standardised vessels to the United Kingdom are part of the strategic agreement in connection with the Norwegian frigate procurement.”
Agreements are also in place with Lithuania, while the companies recently secured a separate contract, alongside Adaptive Marine Solutions, to design new vessels for the Canadian Coast Guard.
“This marks an important step forward… and we look forward to contributing our expertise and technology to develop the standardised vessels of the future in Norway and internationally,” Lie said.
Despite some negativity I think this programme could lead to some very useful flexible vessels for the Navy here. Everything from marine operations to coastal defence, drone control motherships, survey and more mundane tasks are possibilities.
I think it’s fantastic.
But I only see the UK getting the 3 mother vessels at the moment, which are needed urgently for the USVs.
According to various X feeds, EIGHT Russian shadow fleet Tankers have sailed happily through the Channel in the last 24 hours.
What was Starmer GRANDSTANDING about again the other day?
Even if there are legal technicalities between a sanctioned vessel and the shadow fleet, and so little is left to actually do something, it didn’t stop Starmer getting his piece in, which is the point.
I suspect the principal concern is that if we start grabbing dozens of tankers in the channel right now Brent Crude prices may top $150 a barrel very quickly.
I suspect they currently wish to serve as a deterrent to shadow fleet tankers using the channel and making them sail the long way round which adds cost and once the straits of Hormuz are open enforcement action will ramp up.
It’s the most sensible way to do things given the current tight oil supply.
Dies he not see just how weak he looks, talking big all the time and making pronouncements for effect without ever having any real substance. Treating us as useful idiots, though judging by the polling it’s hardly working and likely making the public even more contemptuous of him, no one likes someone who takes for granted they can fool you, or is it just looking delusional. Either way wishful thinking is hardly a good look is it.
Well the way Ukraine is applying kinetic sanctions to the Orcs oil loading ports in the Baltic and Black Sea hopefully the tanker traffic drops off🤞
Hopefully this is a remedy for the forthcoming sale of the River 1s to Uruguay
Would be nice if they actually indicated that, as it stands, they’re gone as well.
How do future commanders get any sea time experience on smaller assets before moving onto Escorts if so little is left?
Indeed. It is all so tiring and demoralising
Hi M8 Thats exactly the issue and one of the underlying causes of the US having such a churn of Commanders and such a high accident rate, no options for actuall Ship Command till it’s a multimillion Warship, the LCS couldn’t provide it so the new FFX may.
As for the Article about possible UK involvment in this Norwegian Project you may want to read “The Luna House Agreement”, its all about us cooperating in the High North and Atlantic Bastion and ensuring interoperability and commonality.
So not only did it cover off the T26 export agreement but NSMs and our smaller ship requirments for OPV, MCMV motherships etc and according to that we are actively involved in this project.
To me it makes perfect sense as Norway has the sense and financial clout to get a very good COTS deal and my bet for the actual SB is Romania as that where most Norwegian Designed OSVs are built including the 2 we bought 2nd hand. Maybe built a bit like the Tides in S Korea or the Dutch Frigates built in Romania but outfitted here or in Norway
This is precisely my hope as well… Shit, I was lloking at who else could produce OPVs for us to minimise the gap and I thought, Japan or Korea, but Japan’s design is already 4 launched, being fitted out and they’re T1 partners on our GCAP so buying some smaller ships from them would do us a would of good if they built 4 of them at the same time, even delivering 2 to us before we sell up would be better.
Forgot about the Norwegians, let’s hope they’re as willing to ramp up and give us OPV slots.
Hopefully this is a remedy for the forthcoming sale of the River 1s to Uruguay
At best you know there will be gapping again. Daniele’s point is certainly a vital consideration but I fear the politicians simply won’t put it about saving money.
Salt is an interesting choice of design bureau. Looking at their web site their expertise seems to be in offshore / undersea support, gained no doubt from tne North Sea industry. They look like a good choice not only for the 3 MCMV ‘motherships’ but also for the vessels we will need to service the Bastion USVs and be mothership to the various UUVs.
Honestly I don’t know if I should laugh or cry !
The bit that makes my Laugh (Working at a War Pace).
Norway decided in 2024 that they wanted to expand their non combat surface vessels but ensure the maximum amount of standardisation. Being Norwegian it’s a very well thought out, logical, well funded programme that has a clear purpose and an ambitious timescale.
UK MOD / HMT PROCUREMENT PLEASE NOTE, NON OF THAT SIMPLE CONCEPT APLIES TO ANYTHING YOU TOUCH !
So contract for design proposal competition issued in 2025 to be completed and winner announced Spring 2026.
So here we are with the competition completed, winner announced and Spec and design contract awarded to a partnership of SALT & KONGSBERG and to be completed by end of 2026.
Now bear in mind Norways SB costs are extremely high so SB is very largely carried out overseas. Which is why it states “limited economic value”.
Next step is a SB Competition contract for late 2026 to Early 2027 so the contract to build the ships will be awarded in 2027.
First Delivery due in 2030.
Note to RN WE WOULD BE ON THE 3rd PROJECT DEFINITION AT THIS POINT WITH A REALLY SNAZZY NAME AND A REAR ADMIRAL IN CHARGE. BUT AT LEAST 10 YEARS AWAY FROM DELIVERING ANYTHING.
For those who may shout about building in U.K, just bear in mind both RFA Proteus and HMS Stirling Castle were Norwegian ships built in Romania (where most of these type are) and let’s be honest about this Piggy backing a COTS contract onto the Norwegian one is a no brainer.
Now for the bit that makes me cry, Kongsberg Marine Designs are mainly based on the former RR Marine UT Design, which was based here in Derby until closed after KONGSBERG bought it off RR.
Honestly, I’m fine with the whole not UK designed or built, cos we can’t be trusted under the MOD.
Yes indeed, I believe the concept of a standardised family of UT designs was suggested some 10 years ago by RR Marine.
The thing is we have a requirement for a lot of patrol type combatants that this vessel could cover.
1 replacement for the 3 rivers 1s
2 MROS 2 of
3) mine warfare mother ships 3 of
Strengthening the Atlantic bastion and a UK TAS ship.. add 2 more..
Get 10 of the large versions of these, get a container towed array as well as a torpedo carrying autonomous drone, under sea surveillance drones and the mine warfare drones and you have some serious capabilities.. then as the Rivers 2 age out order 5 more…