The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) has signed an agreement with the shipyard ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for two additional submarines. The order follows the Norwegian Parliament's (Stortinget) approval of an expanded budget framework and means that Norway will acquire a total of six submarines of the 212CD type.
According to a press release from the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA), the decision aligns with the long-term plan for the defence sector 2025–2036. The order is justified in the announcement by increased demands for national readiness and the need for deterrence in northern areas.
– With the new submarines, Norway and NATO will enhance their combined ability to monitor, show presence, and deter in the North Atlantic and Barents Sea, where we see increased activity from Russian forces. This is a major and strategically important investment in our defence capability that will help make Norway safer in turbulent times, says Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik.
The contract was signed on 30 January at the Oslo Military Society. The two new submarines are added to the four already ordered previously. Together with Germany, the countries will operate a joint fleet of a total of 12 identical submarines in the future.
In December, the government proposed to increase the budget framework for the project by 46 billion Norwegian kroner to enable the expansion. The proposal was approved by a majority in the Stortinget last week.
The first two submarines of the 212CD type are already under production at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel. The first submarine is planned to be delivered to the Royal Norwegian Navy (Sjøforsvaret) in 2029. According to the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, six submarines provide a more sustainable and operationally effective structure.
– We look forward to starting work on the two additional submarines, and this is an important decision for Norway and a strategic boost for the Royal Norwegian Navy. Six submarines give Norway a modern, flexible, and forward-looking capability that will strengthen both national security and NATO's collective defence for several decades to come, says Gro Jære, Director of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
The cooperation with Germany on the new submarine class has been ongoing since 2017. The partnership includes identical submarine design as well as joint project implementation, maintenance, and training.
TKMS confirms the cooperation in its own press release and also adds that the company aims to expand the initiative to potentially build up to twelve additional submarines intended for the Canadian Navy.