Norway sets out twin-track build plan for Standardised Vessel fleet

Norway, Lithuania and the UK have a combined requirement for up to 20 larger variants of the new Standardised Vessel being designed and developed by Kongsberg and Salt Ship Design AS under Project 1118. (Kongsberg/Salt Ship Design AS)

Norway is to prioritise the procurement of the larger variant of its new Project 1118 Standardised Vessel (Standardiserte fartøy) as it moves forward with plans to recapitalise a major portion of its navy and coast guard fleet.

Announcing the start of a ‘market signalling' activity on 20 October, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) outlined plans for Norwegian industry to deliver 10 ocean-going ships to meet the combined needs of the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) and the Norwegian Coast Guard (Kystvakten). Up to 10 more ships, based on the same naval design being acquired by Norway, could be built to meet the needs of the UK Royal Navy (RN) and the Lithuanian Navy.

Forming a central part of Norway's Long-Term Defence Plan 2025–2036, the P1118 Standardised Vessel programme plans the acquisition of up to 28 vessels in two variants – 10 larger ocean-going ships and 18 smaller coastal platforms – to meet the collective needs of the RNoN and the Kystvakten. The new ships are intended to replace several existing classes and endow a level of commonality that will simplify maintenance, reduce running costs, and ensure a more efficient operating profile.

The UK and Lithuania have also joined the Standardised Vessel programme: the RN has baselined the larger variant to meet its need for three future mine countermeasures mother ships, and is considering the design for other as yet undefined offshore support tasks; Lithuania has selected the ocean-going variant as a preferred option for a new class of multi-role vessel to modernise its navy post-2030.