UPDATED 31 July 2026 | Norway pre-selected four candidates to replace all its four frigates. The planned purchase is a direct consequence of a collision with a fifth Norwegian frigate that subsequently sank in 2018. Spanish shipyards were not included in the selection for the new ship. A court case between the Navantia of Spain and the Norwegian state was settled in June 2026.
On 2 June 2025 the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and Navantia agreed to settle the dispute between the parties about the Helge Ingstad frigate, and at the same time have Navantia provide upgrades to the remaining four F310 class of frigates for maximum of six years. The settlement was followed by an announcement on 31 August 2025 that Norway selected the British Type 26 frigate as the future combat vessel for the fleet, with a procurement of five of them.
The four candidates to replace the current Fridtjof Nansen class of the Norwegian navy were the British BAe systems Type 26, the French Naval Group FDI, the German ThyssenKrupp F127 and the US Constellation. Judging US president Donal Trump’s unpredictable politics, the American frigate seemed an unlikely choice, but alike the German option it is fully equipped for anti-submarine, anti-air and multirole duties. Moreover, the six US-made Seahawk helicopters Norway has ordered for its Coast Guard could operate from the American vessel. The United States has ordered 20 vessels of the Constellation class, and is still an important naval and NATO companion in the North Atlantic.
Haakonsvern shipyard and Kongsberg missile systems
The German F127 seems to be a good choice, but its relatively big size of 10,600 tonnes (more than 3,000 more than the US option) is not an advantage, neither is the relatively large crew of 230 that needs to run the vessel. An advantage is that the Germans are willing to cooperate with the Haakonsvern shipyard in Norway, and that Norwegian missile systems made by Kongsberg are planned to be integrated on the ship if Norway buys it.
North Atlantic cooperation
The British Type 26 is best equipped for the anti-submarine role, and less for the other tasks at hand. However, choosing the British one, will make international cooperation in the North Atlantic easier, as the United Kingdom (8 on order) and Canada (15 on order) will also operate the Type 26.
French design
With 4,500 tonnes and 122 metres in length, the French FDI is the smallest vessel, and can be operated by a crew of 125. It is made to run anti-submarine and anti-air operations. Delivery of the first of five of the type for the French navy is expected soon, while NATO partner Greece ordered three.
Whatever the choice will be, Norway want to replace its current frigates as soon as possible and has allocated NOK 125 billion (EUR 10.8 billion) for the purchase. The first new frigate is expected to enter service in 2029 at the latest. | © 2025/2026 Marcel Burger, nordicreporter.com. Featured photo of the Norwegian frigate F311 Roald Amundsen by Forsvaret (Norwegian Armed Forces)