Norway Explores Strategic Partnership With France, the UK, Germany, and the US on Frigates
On Tuesday, the Norwegian Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram (Center) gave a briefing on the status of the acquisition of new frigates. "A solid and predictable security and defense policy cooperation is the foundation for a strategic partnership for the acquisition and operation of frigates, and Norway and the partner nation must have mutual, long-term interests," he emphasizes. (Photo: Synne Kvam/the Norwegian Ministry of Defense)
Norway is to acquire new frigates in a strategic partnership with a close ally possessing coinciding strategic interests and an eye for the High North. France, the UK, Germany, and the US have now been selected as possible partner countries, says the Norwegian MoD.
In line with its adopted long-term plan on defense, Norway is to purchase at least five new frigates, with an option for one more.
These will be acquired, operated, maintained, and upgraded through a long-term, strategic partnership with a close ally.
After a first round of contact with 11 allies and partner nations, the Norwegian government has now chosen to invite France, the UK, Germany, and the US to discussions on a potential strategic partnership.
"We have made the decision based on a comprehensive assessment of security policy conditions and the nations' frigate programs. These four are Norway's most important allies, and we are focused on frigates capable of anti-submarine operations," says Norwegian MoD Bjørn Arild Gram (Center) on Tuesday.
"It is also important to us that this ally has coinciding strategic interests in Norway's immediate areas and an eye on the High North, including in the maritime domain. The partnership will facilitate cooperation within operations, training, and exercise, industry and maintenance, as well as research and development, in addition to contributing to value creation and jobs in Norway," he points out.
• The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years. The investment framework is greater than for the F-35 fighters purchase, according to MoD Gram.
• The further dialogue with the four countries in question started this week and will lay out the prerequisites for the following contract negotiations and the development of broader cooperation.
• The Norwegian Government intends to make its final decision on a future strategic partner over the course of 2025.
It is crucial that the new frigates have the ability to carry out anti-submarine operations, according to the Norwegian long-term plan on defense. The vessels will also be equipped with new anti-submarine helicopters. (Illustration: The Norwegian government's long-term defense plan 2025-2036, figure 4.2 p. 69)
About the candidates
Minister Gram says the following about the individual countries:
"France and Norway have a long-standing maritime cooperation. With its location and interests, France likely has a greater commitment to NATO's southern flank and a more global focus than Norway. Still, it has also shown increasing interest in the High North and is regularly present with maritime capabilities in our waters. The potential of this interest and the possibility of increased integration in important areas of cooperation should be explored in further dialogue," he states and continues:
"The UK and Norway have particularly close security and defense policy ties, including in a historical context. The Royal Navy has been a primary cooperation partner for the Norwegian Navy. This is based on a close maritime intelligence collaboration, and Norway and the UK cooperate operatively and strategically at political and military levels."
"Germany and Norway also have long-standing, close security policy ties. The cooperation has traditionally focused on the land domain. Germany has shown increased interest in maritime presence and operations in the High North, including through materiel cooperation on the acquisition and operation of submarines and anti-ship missiles. Germany and Norway have also taken a joint initiative in NATO on the monitoring and protection of critical underwater infrastructure."
"The US is Norway's biggest and most important ally. The US' significance to Norwegian security is fundamental and increasing. The cooperation encompasses all domains focusing on the North Atlantic and managing strategic security challenges in the north, not least in the maritime domain. This work is supported by a very close intelligence cooperation."
Countries in the first round of consideration
• In 2023, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense sent an inquiry to 11 allies and partner nations with ongoing frigate programs to survey relevant projects and the potential for cooperation.
• The countries contacted were Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Great Britain, South Korea and the US.
