Norway has joined the Type 26 frigate project with Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom in a bid to enhance its naval capabilities and build a formidable naval force for any future conflict.
The Charter of the Global Fighting Ship Users Group, 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 the United Kingdom, River-class frigates for Canada and Hunter-class frigates for Australia.
The multi-million dollar project was started in the early 2010s; However, it saw real progress in 2017, gaining momentum after the UK began construction.
Norway was invited to sign the charter about a year ago and now the Kingdom has officially joined the association.
Norway wants to acquire five Type 26 frigates to improve its navy’s defensive capabilities in the Atlantic and 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 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, Head of the Royal Norwegian Navy Fleet Programme, said greater security cooperation and alignment of frigate designs will strengthen interoperability and collective security measures between allied navies.
