Kongsberg to upgrade combat systems on Norway’s Skjold-class corvettes

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, part of Kongsberg Gruppen of Norway, has been awarded a contract to upgrade combat systems on Royal Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class corvettes.

As informed, the upgrade will be performed with a similar system used on Nansen-class vessels. In addition to this, the vessels will undergo technical modernization.

The process is to be conducted with the purpose of contributing to the life extension of the Skjold-class vessels.

“The upgrade mainly consists of a new combat management system, which is coordinated with the Nansen class frigates. We will also do a updating of tactical data links and other functions in the combat system,” said division director Kjetil Reiten Myhra in Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

“Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace are proud that we once more is given the trust to continue the work with the life extension of the Skjold Class. We are looking forward to integrate the best solutions of technology to provide combat readiness for the Royal Norwegian Navy,” added Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

The value of the contract is NOK 267 million ($27 million).

Skjold-class corvettes are a class of six light, superfast, stealth missile corvettes in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy.

The boats were formerly classed as patrol boats but, from 2009, the Royal Norwegian Navy has described them as corvettes.

In December last year, defence and security company Saab was contracted to provide a complete communication system onboard three different ship classes for the Royal Norwegian Navy, including Skjold-class vessels.