The Norwegian Navy recommends that Norway acquire six new ocean-going frigates, plus 24 smaller vessels, according to a sketch of a new vessel structure for the navy that VG has seen.
As part of the work on a new long-term plan for the entire Armed Forces, the Chief of Defence’s leadership group must give the government a specialist military advice by the end of May.
VG writes that they know the content of the sketch for a new vessel structure for the navy and that it emerges that the Norwegian Navy does not think it is appropriate to upgrade the four remaining frigates of the Nansen class.
The head of the Norwegian Navy, Rear Admiral Rune Andersen, says that in recent years, large resources have been spent on maintenance and spare parts, and that resetting them in a full-fledged upgrade will be so expensive that you already have to think about when to replace them.
The newspaper writes that the internal assessments state that six new ocean-going frigates will give the Norwegian Navy the ability to sail one vessel in the north, one in the south and, in addition, have a frigate in an international operation at the same time. A desired plan with 24 new and smaller vessels for use closer to the coast is also described.
Rear Admiral Andersen says the Norwegian Armed Forces need a new generation of smaller vessels for various tasks.
He does not want to comment on the details of the sketch, but says that this is input into an ongoing process and that they have not reached any conclusion.
