The Norwegian and French ministers of defense agreed to work toward closer defense cooperation on things like maritime surveillance earlier this month as Norway ramps up its plans to acquire new frigates with an international partner.
In his first visit to Norway on Jan. 16, French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu signed a letter of intent for closer defense cooperation with Norwegian Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram.
“France is an important ally. We want to expand and strengthen the defence and security policy cooperation with France. France is one of our allied partners that sails, exercises and trains the most in our neighbouring areas. The country also plays an important role in the defence of Ukraine and in the strengthening of NATO’s defense capabilities. Our common interests are many and broad, and we have a strong mutual interest in further developing our co-operation,” Gram said in a statement.
The Norwegian Defense Ministry noted the letter emphasizes a common strategic understanding of threats and the importance of maintaining situational awareness and presence in the high north and “paves the way for enhanced co-operation on exercises and training in Norway.”
The cooperation also covers hybrid threats, including protection of critical infrastructure like submarine cables and energy supply lines, as well as maritime surveillance in the north and joint exercises.
Notably, this visit came just days before the Norwegian Defense Ministry announced their intention to invite the American, British, French and Germany governments to start discussing strategic partnerships to compete on a new class of upward of five frigates to replace their aging Fridtjof Nansen-class ships.
“The new frigates represent the largest acquisition planned for the Norwegian Armed Forces in the coming years. Norway is an important maritime nation in NATO, and through this and other maritime investments we will be strengthening both national and allied security, Gram said in a separate statement.
In June 2024, the Norwegian Parliament passed a new Long-Term Plan for the Norwegian Armed Forces, which includes acquiring five to six new anti-submarine frigates with anti-submarine warfare helicopters.
Norway’s government emphasized the frigate program aims to be part of a “long-term and mutually beneficial strategic partnership with a close ally with strategic interests closely aligned with those of Norway.”
Notably, Norway wants to join an existing frigate production line to accelerate acquisition and limit how much they need to upgrade the current Fridtjof Nansen-class before the new ships come online. It also wants to include industrial opportunities so Norway can contribute development and sustainment for both the Norwegian and partner frigate programs.
The frigate acquisition will include joint acquisition, operation, maintenance, continuous development and upgrades throughout the ships’ service lives.
“Solid and predictable cooperation on both security and defence policy will be at the heart of the strategic partnership that we envision, which will include everything from force generation to operations and joint development of new capabilities. It is therefore essential that we and our partners have the same long-term interests,” Gram added.
Norway plans to make the final decision on the partner for the frigate this year.
Currently, the U.S. Navy is working with Fincantieri Marinette Marine to finish the design of its Constellation-class frigate, based on the parent company’s French and Italian FREMM frigate. The U.S. frigate is meant to be able to perform anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare, with an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and MQ-8C Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle fielded on it.
Due to design, workforce and other issues, delivery of the first Constellation-class frigate is currently set to be running upward of three years late.