Norway has joined the Type 26 frigate project with Australia, Canada and the UK in an effort to improve its naval capabilities and build a formidable naval force for any future conflict.
The Global Combat Ship User Group Charter, which oversees the development, construction and operation of frigates, formally 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 Great Britain, river-class frigates for Canada and hunter-class frigates for Australia.
The multibillion project was initiated in the early 2010s; however, it saw real progress in 2017 and picked up after the UK started building.
Norway was invited to sign the charter about a year ago, and now the Kingdom has officially joined the partnership.
Norway wants to acquire five Type 26 frigates to improve its navy’s defensive capabilities in the Atlantic and Europe’s northern flank. The country already operates eight identical warships.
Commodore Stephen Roberts, Senior Responsible Owner for the UK Type 26 frigate programme, welcomed Norway to the programme, saying: “Our strategic maritime security partnership with allies is further strengthened by Norway’s inclusion in the wider GCS enterprise alongside our Canadian and Australian partners.”
Captain Alexander Erichsen, Chief Fleet Program for the Royal Norwegian Navy said that improved security cooperation and adaptation of the frigates’ design will strengthen interoperability and collective security measures across allied navies.
