thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Ulstein Verft have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on delivering next-generation frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy. The agreement was announced at the Undersea Defence Technology conference in Oslo.
Norway’s 2024 Fleet Plan outlines the need for five or six new frigates to replace the aging Fridtjof Nansen-class, with potential options including the British Type 26, German F127, American Constellation-class, and French FDI frigates.
If awarded the contract, a significant portion of the construction and outfitting work will take place in Norway. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, a leader in naval shipbuilding, will provide its F127 frigate design, based on the MEKO A-400 platform.
Ulstein Verft, a Norwegian shipyard with extensive experience in commercial vessel construction, will contribute its expertise in shipbuilding and advanced outfitting. This partnership builds on thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ existing involvement with the Royal Norwegian Navy through the construction of 212CD submarines.
Ulstein Verft plans to invest further in its facilities should the project move forward. The shipyard, established in 1917, has a long history of constructing and upgrading advanced vessels. By assembling the frigates in Norway, the collaboration aims to strengthen the country’s maritime industry, ensuring long-term benefits for local businesses and communities.
The agreement is positioned as a long-term partnership that will extend beyond the initial shipbuilding phase, covering future maintenance, upgrades, and modernization. Joachim Wacker of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems emphasized the importance of the collaboration, highlighting Ulstein’s strong shipbuilding reputation and Norway’s strategic industrial position.
The F127 frigate is expected to meet the Royal Norwegian Navy’s operational needs while enhancing the national defense sector’s technological capabilities.
