TKMS and Ulstein unite to work on future Norwegian Navy’s frigates

German company thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Norwegian shipbuilder Ulstein Werft have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to collaborate on delivering the Royal Norwegian Navy’s next advanced frigates.

The 2024 Fleet Plan outlines that Norway will acquire five or six frigates to replace the Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. Potential candidates include the British Type 26, the German F127, the American Constellation class, and the French FDI.

TKMS’ F127 frigate is based on the MEKO A-400 design, which has been established for more than 20 years and used in several different frigate classes built at yards around the world. The company is already involved with the Royal Norwegian Navy in the construction of 212CD submarines together with Germany.

If thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Ulstein Verft are awarded a contract, a significant portion of the value creation will take place in Norway. Under the LOI, the companies plan to combine their technologies.

Ulstein Verft is working along a new direction parallel to commercial shipbuilding activities. If the frigate project is awarded to the partners, the company plans new investments to further develop the production at the facility.

“thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has long traditions in designing and building naval ships, while Ulstein has long experience in commercial vessels with unique designs and solutions for demanding marine operations. Both companies have an industrial legacy from the shipbuilding industry in different markets related to ship design and ship construction, and are renowned for proven, advanced and outfitting-intensive vessels,” said Lars Lühr Olsen, managing director at Ulstein Verft.

“Looking at this from a long-term perspective, considering the lifespan of the vessels and the need for maintenance, upgrades, and modernisation, Ulstein Verft’s geographical location is ideal for the best possible utilisation of these vessels,” he added.