Trio joins forces to build drone-capable naval support ships for Danish Navy

A new consortium, consisting of Karstensens Shipyard in Skagen, Hvide Sande Shipyard in Hvide Sande, and OSK Design, has been formed to construct naval support vessels for the Danish Navy.

Recently, a “shadow fleet” of Russian ships has threatened Danish waters, posing risks of environmental disasters and threats to underwater infrastructure. This highlighted the need to monitor underwater activities and ensure Danish authorities can protect our marine environment and critical infrastructure, the partners said.

The new naval support vessels will play a key role in this monitoring, protection, and potential collection of marine pollution, ensuring that Denmark complies with the Helsinki Convention (HELCOM) in the future and participates as a partner in NATO’s Baltic Sentry operation.

The consortium stated that the ships will be developed to handle tasks such as environmental preparedness, underwater surveillance, diving operations, transport, intelligence gathering, and mine laying. The vessels are not designed as combat ships but will serve as mother ships for drones and be equipped with a remotely operated heavy machine gun for self-defense and warning shots.

Specifically, the companies are working on two models of vessels, designed to operate across the entire Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland. This ensures that tasks can be carried out in all areas where the Danish Armed Forces have responsibilities, including supporting other authorities.

The steel hulls of the vessels will be built at a Danish-owned shipyard in Poland, after which the ships will be equipped in Hvide Sande and Skagen.

If a contract is signed before the summer of 2025, the first Naval Support Vessel could be ready for deployment in 2027.

The delivery of five vessels to optimally cover the responsibilities of Danish authorities is expected to be completed by 2030.

The consortium is committed to ensuring that the Danish Armed Forces have the necessary resources to maintain security and readiness across the Kingdom of Denmark.

The partners concluded that they are also prepared to undertake additional design and construction tasks for the Danish Armed Forces, including Arctic ships for Greenland’s east coast and icebreakers, as well as coastal corvettes, missile boats, and offshore patrol vessels, should these vessel types be required as part of the future fleet plan for Denmark’s defense.