Norway joined the Type 26 frigate project with Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom with the aim of strengthening its naval capabilities and building a formidable naval force for any future conflict.
The Charter of the Global Combat Ship User Group, which oversees the development, construction and operation of the frigates, has officially welcomed the Royal Norwegian Navy to the team.
The group is building 34 world-class warships for the four states, including Type 26 frigates for Norway and the United Kingdom, River-class frigates for Canada, and Hunter-class frigates for Australia.
The multi-billion dollar project was launched in the early 2010s; However, real progress was made in 2017, gaining momentum after construction work began in the UK.
Norway was invited to sign the charter about a year ago and the Kingdom has now officially joined the partnership.
Norway wishes to acquire five Type 26 frigates to strengthen the defensive capabilities of its navy in the Atlantic and on the northern flank of Europe. The country already operates eight identical warships.
Commodore Stephen Roberts, Lead Owner Responsible for the UK’s Type 26 Frigate programme, welcomed Norway to the program and said: “Our strategic maritime security partnership with our allies is further strengthened by the inclusion of Norway in the wider GCS enterprise alongside our Canadian and Australian partners.
Captain Alexander Erichsen, head of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s fleet program, said enhanced security cooperation and alignment of frigate designs would strengthen interoperability and collective security measures between allied navies.
