New Norwegian Navy Vessel To Be Largest In Fleet

The Norwanian navy has awarded South Korean Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) to build the 26,000-ton vessel at its yard in Okpo, South Korea, using BMT Defence Services AEGIR replenishment vessel design.

The contract is worth approximately £140 million. The vessel is expected to be the largest in the Norwegian Navy and is scheduled to be delivered in 2016.

The vessel will be able to deliver a range of wet and dry stores and will provide support to a Norwegian task group and other roles.

The original competition for the support vessel was abandoned last year after bids failed to meet the Norwegian budget. The requirement was rescoped and the competition relaunched at the start of this year.

The deal is the latest in a series of investments by the Norwegians to modernize their navy. It has centered on the acquisition of five Fridtjof Nanse class frigates and a new fleet of fast patrol boats till date. A decision on what to do about retaining a submarine capability beyond the current Ula-class boats is expected next year.