A protracted awaited resolution on the Royal Norwegian Navy’s subsequent technology warships was introduced on Aug. 31, with Norwegian PM Jonas Støre confirming the procurement of UK-designed Kind 26 frigates in a deal price £10 billion.
No less than 5 Kind 26 frigates shall be bought to switch 4 Fridtjof Nansen class frigates constructed within the 2000s. Whereas the Fridtjof Nansen class is comparatively trendy in comparison with different frigates being changed by the Kind 26 worldwide, the lack of HNoMS Helge Ingstad in a 2018 collision has left the fleet completely under energy.
Securing wires have been unable to stop #HelgeIngstad sliding into deeper water. Final evening she sank additional and is now virtually completely submerged. pic.twitter.com/bx4uLvgEUV
— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) November 13, 2018
A big issue within the resolution was commonality and interoperability with the Royal Navy, in addition to the Kind 26’s sturdy concentrate on anti-submarine warfare. A mixed fleet of not less than 13 Kind 26s will patrol the waters of Northern Europe, the place Norway and the UK are already shut companions.
The Norwegian authorities has chosen The UK as a strategic accomplice, and can procure British frigates for the Royal Norwegian Navy, mentioned PM @jonasgahrstore throughout Sunday’s press convention 🇳🇴🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/YPa04Cftof
— SMK (@Statsmin_kontor) August 31, 2025
Norway is the third abroad nation to pick the British frigate, following Australia and Canada. Whereas the precise configuration of Norway’s Kind 26s stays to be confirmed, the precise point out of interoperability between “equivalent” frigates probably signifies that they are going to be far more comparable in specification to the Royal Navy’s personal ships in comparison with the tailored variants within the works for elsewhere. In Australia, often called the Hunter class, the ships are anticipated to hold the CEAFAR2 radar system instead of the Royal Navy specification Kind 997 Artisan, whereas the Canadian ships, often called River class, shall be designated as destroyers and carry the AN/SPY-7, Aegis Fight System, and American-designed missiles.
The UK’s Kind 26s, often called Metropolis class, are specialised anti-submarine warfare ships designed to switch the nicely regarded however lengthy within the tooth Kind 23. Solely 8 Kind 26s are at present deliberate for the Royal Navy, with the remaining frigate requirement being lined by the final function Kind 31 Inspiration class. Examples of each frigates are within the late levels of manufacturing, with Kind 26s HMS Glasgow and HMS Cardiff anticipated to be commissioned in 2028 and the Kind 31 HMS Venturer by 2027. They’ll carry the battle-tested Sea Ceptor air defence missile system alongside strike-length Mark 41 vertical launch system cells for land assault and anti-ship missiles – a primary for the Royal Navy.
In keeping with the UK Authorities, the £10 billion is, by worth, the largest warship export ever carried out by Britain, and the most important defence procurement ever for Norway. 4,000 jobs shall be supported by the deal within the UK via the 2030s, whereas industrial participation by Norway is broadly anticipated to even be included.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Støre mentioned: “Norway and the UK are shut allies, with frequent pursuits and powerful bilateral ties. I’m assured that the strategic partnership with the UK for buying, growing and working frigates is the proper resolution.”
His British counterpart, Keir Starmer, added: “This Authorities has solid new partnerships internationally to ship for individuals at house and the export of our world main Kind 26 frigates to Norway will do precisely that, supporting well-paid jobs up and down the UK, from apprentices to engineers,”
“This success is testomony to the hundreds of individuals throughout the nation who aren’t simply delivering this subsequent technology capabilities for our Armed Forces but in addition nationwide safety for the UK, our Norwegian companions and NATO for years to come back.”
Merlin Order?
The ever rising chance of Norway deciding on the Kind 26 in current months has inspired the prospect of a associated order for AW101 Merlin maritime helicopters, that are utilized by the Royal Navy as their premier rotary wing ASW platform. A number of fashions of the Kind 26 used for example a Norwegian operated variant of the ship have depicted a Merlin on the helicopter deck. Mutual use of the Merlin airframe would additionally align with the objectives of working equivalent frigates with matching capabilities.
Norway already operates the utility variant of the AW101 for search and rescue, although in 2023 ordered the MH-60R Seahawk as a maritime helicopter to switch NH90s. Nevertheless, whereas the MH-60R is a extremely succesful helicopter, there may be nonetheless attainable room for an ASW centered helicopter. In contrast to the Seahawk, the Merlin is an impartial ASW platform, capable of conduct the total mission set onboard together with all processing. MH-60R, in the meantime, is designed primarily to work in tandem with a ship, with extra restricted onboard capabilities owing to its smaller measurement. Merlin continues to be, after all, able to interfacing with floor vessels to enhance its ASW functionality – and the Kind 26 is particularly designed to work with the Merlin’s gear.
