Norway opts for U.K.\u2019s Type 26 for its new frigates
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The Norwegian Government has selected the United Kingdom as its strategic partner for the acquisition of new frigates. The purchase of the British Type 26 frigates will be the largest single investment in Norwegian defense capabilities to date.<\/p>\n
\u201cNorway and the United Kingdom are close allies, with common interests and strong bilateral ties. I am confident that the decision to enter into a strategic partnership with the UK on purchasing, developing and operating frigates is the right one. This partnership will enable Norway to achieve the strategic objectives of the current Long-term Defense Plan, as agreed by the Storting,\u201d said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re, in an announcement<\/a> released Friday,<\/p>\n The Norwegian authorities have been assessing the possibility of a strategic partnership on the acquisition of new frigates with either France, Germany, the U.S. or the U.K. since November last year.<\/p>\n \u201cThis has been a difficult choice. The four candidates \u2013 France, Germany, the U.S .and the U.K. \u2013 have submitted strong, competitive proposals. They are all close allies, and I would like to thank them for a constructive process and dialogue. All four countries are strategic partners for Norway, and we will continue to work to further develop our already wide-ranging security and defence cooperation with all of them,\u201d said Mr St\u00f8re.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is good for Norwegian industry and Norwegian jobs. Norwegian companies will have a vital role to play, especially in maintaining and keeping the vessels up to date. We have also identified a wide range of industrial and technological areas of cooperation where Norwegian companies can compete for contracts\u201dhe added.<\/p>\n