Norway opens talks with two nations regarding standardised vessels

Norway has established cooperation with two countries regarding the potential acquisition of standardised naval vessels under its planned fleet renewal programme.

The confirmation comes from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell), which previously stated that it was planning on the basis of an estimated additional 10 vessels for international partners alongside 28 vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy.

- At this stage, we can confirm that we have established cooperation with two nations regarding the potential acquisition of approximately ten standardized vessels, Forsvarsmateriell told Defence Nordic in an email.

The agency declined to identify the countries involved, adding that it is not currently in a position to disclose further details.

According to Forsvarsmateriell, the figure of 10 vessels remains tentative and could change at a later stage.

The potential international component was first disclosed in a market consultation published earlier this month. 

At the time, the documents stated that planning was being conducted on the basis of up to 28 standardised vessels for the Norwegian Navy and an estimated 10 additional vessels for international partners.

Forsvarsmateriell said the figure was included in the request for information in order to support market planning and allow industry to assess whether it has the capacity and capability to meet the potential requirement.

The programme is expected to become one of the largest naval procurement projects in Norway in the coming years, with a formal contract notice expected later this year.