The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) has set out how it plans to buy the first vessels in its standardised vessel programme. It intends to award two separate shipbuilding contracts covering up to 20 ocean-going vessels. The contract award is targeted for 2027.
One contract would cover up to 14 naval vessels: up to four for the Royal Norwegian Navy, up to six for the United Kingdom and up to four for Lithuania. The other would cover up to six vessels for the Norwegian Coast Guard. Suppliers may qualify for one or both competitions. However, a single bidder should not be awarded both contracts.
First delivery is planned for 2030. The ocean-going variant comes first. FMA says the smaller vessels need more development time.
FMA director Gro Jære said splitting the work is meant to broaden industry participation, reduce risk and secure delivery.
— It is crucial to enable a competition that ensures quality, delivery capacity and predictability, she said.
The announcement is a market signal ahead of an upcoming prequalification. FMA stresses that it is indicative and may change. Lithuania signed an MoU on the programme in July, as previously reported by NDS.