Vard to build Norwegian coast guard vessels
Fincantieri’s subsidiary Vard Holdings has signed a contract with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) for the construction of three coast guard vessels, Fincantieri announced on 25 June.
The value of the contract exceeds $642 million.
With a length of 136m and a beam of 22m, the vessels will feature strong ocean-going capacities for long-distance transits, search-and-rescue operations, surveillance and oil recovery. The new vessels will replace the Nordkapp-class coast guard vessels.
Designed to sustain operations in arctic areas, the new vessels are developed for operations in all weather and sea conditions, both inshore and offshore. The vessels will have ice-strengthened hull and ice-class notation and will be built according to the latest requirements for such specialised vessels.
Deliveries are scheduled from Vard Langsten in Norway in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.