Norway and the United Kingdom are evaluating a joint procurement of up to 30 new vessels for coastal operations under the Joint Commando Craft programme. The initiative aims to enhance the countries' ability to operate together in demanding maritime environments in the North Atlantic.

– Norway and the United Kingdom have a very close defence cooperation, says Norway's Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik in a press release from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell, FMA). By developing a joint capability for coastal operations, we strengthen our ability to cooperate in the North Atlantic and in the northern regions.

The vessels will be up to 24 metres long with a displacement of a maximum of 60 tonnes, and will be capable of operating independently for several days. In Norway, the platforms will be used by the Coastal Ranger Command (Kystjegerkommandoen), while in the United Kingdom they will support the UK Commando Force under the leadership of the Royal Marines. The goal is for the vessels to offer better speed, endurance, survivability, and manoeuvrability than current equivalents.

The countries have now issued a market survey in the form of a Request for Information (RFI) to map technical solutions, possible delivery times, and production capacity. According to FMA, the vessels are planned to be built at Norwegian shipyards, and the RFI is intended to provide the parties with an initial decision basis for design options.

– By collaborating on a joint capability for command vessels, we strengthen our ability to operate side by side in important maritime areas. This initiative will improve situational awareness and interoperability, says Rear Admiral Stein Håvard Bergstad, head of maritime capabilities at FMA.

The procurement programme is part of the deepened defence cooperation between the nations formalised in the Lunna House agreement in December. NDS has previously reported on the two countries' expanded cooperation, including a helicopter agreement and increased British troop presence in Norway. According to FMA, this agreement enables further development of the joint military capability through investments in, among other things, autonomous vessels, unmanned systems for mine clearance, and interoperability in the Arctic.