Norwegian navy ready to make decision on frigate life support contract
HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl (F314), ship five of the Fridtjof Nansen-class. A contract will be awarded shortly to provide a life extension for the ships to last until a replacement surface combatant is introduced in the late-2030s. (Photo: USN)
The future maintenance and modification of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s (RNoN’s) four remaining Fridjtof Nansen-class frigates is to be decided by the end of the year.
According to the Norwegian FMA procurement organisation, three companies have been invited to tender for the Fridjtof Nansen-class frigate support project. Whilst the tender process is still under way an FMA spokesperson told Shephard the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) ‘intend to award the contract in November [2023]’.
The total value of the support contract is in the range of NOK6-13 billion ($500 million-$1.2 billion), to be delivered under a framework agreement with the project split into an initial four-year start-up period, then further options with a total duration of 17 years.
‘The framework agreement is intended to last for the
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