According to multiple reports, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace and Salt Ship Design won the competition to design 28 new ships for the Norwegian defence. The design contract has a framework of 20.9 million kroner, NTB reported. The first vessel is planned to be delivered during 2030, according to major media.
The design competition started in January, and eleven companies signed up, six qualified for the final, and three delivered final bids, according to multiple reports. The Norwegian defence is moving away from many specialized ships to building versatile vessels, with the goal of creating a new NATO standard so that Norway's allies can order the ships, according to major media.
The shipyard environments here are very well equipped to be part of these contracts.
It is still unknown who will build the ships, according to multiple reports. Fride Solbakken, leader of Maritimt Forum, told NRK Møre og Romsdal that building the new ships can provide a lot of work for shipyards and industry in the region, regardless of who gets the contract. According to NRK Møre og Romsdal, Solbakken described the shipyard environments as very well equipped to be part of these contracts.
In a separate development, Norway placed a £10bn order for at least five Type 26 frigates, according to major media. Shipyards in Glasgow will start building some Type 26 frigates for Norway before completing the Royal Navy's order of eight ships, major media reported. Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the Royal Navy will still receive its full complement of eight Type 26 frigates. The first Type 26 frigate entered the Clyde at Govan in late 2022 and is due to enter service in two years' time, according to major media.