In 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence selected Germany as one of four countries for discussions regarding the replacement of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates. The agreement reflects growing bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ defence industries.
“We have worked together with Kongsberg for many years, which reflects the strong relationship between Germany and Norway, built over years of cooperation as close allies and friends,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “This agreement brings together a number of areas in which our companies are already collaborating and further enhances our ability to deliver advanced defence capabilities for current and future Norwegian and German armed forces.”
The companies emphasised that their partnership supports job creation, technology transfer and industrial investment across both national and international defence markets. Existing collaboration between thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Kongsberg includes submarine programmes.
“Kongsberg and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems already have a substantial cooperation related to submarines,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. “This new agreement enables us to build on the successful partnerships between the two companies and between our two nations’ industries. It further strengthens our ability to offer advanced maritime capability to the Norwegian and German defence forces.”
The agreement outlines plans to explore long-term cooperation across multiple military domains. Potential areas include the Vanguard vessel system, strategic partnerships for frigate support, strike missile integration, maritime surveillance and targeting, and ship system deliveries for future naval platforms.
