Norway calls for production of five Skjold-class Corvettes

Sea Power, Sep 2003

On 4 July 2003, the Norwegian government presented to the Council of State the bill for series production of the Skjold-class fast attack craft. The resolution calls for the Parliament to approve production of five vessels in accordance with the negotiated contract between the Royal Norwegian Navy and the three major contractors: Umoe Mandai, Kongsberg Defense, and Armaris.

The motion will officially clear the way to continue with units 2 through 6, which are to be commissioned into the Royal Norwegian Navy From 2006 through 2009. The total budget for the program is $660 million, not including $200 million for the Kongsberg New Surface Missile program that began in 1996 and is expected to be the primary anti-surface system on the six units of the Skjold class.

The first unit of the class was approved in 1997, launched in September 1998, and turned over to the Navy in April 1999 for sea trials, which were conducted from late 1999 through 2002 and included a demonstration for the U.S. Navy. Umoe's design is being considered for the U.S. Littoral Combat Ship program as part of the Raytheon team's submission.