The contract signing in Oslo is in line with Norway’s Long-Term Defence Plan for 2025–2036 and reflects increased requirements for national readiness and allied deterrence in the north. Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik said: “With the new submarines, Norway and NATO will strengthen their overall ability to monitor, demonstrate presence and deter in the North Atlantic and the Barents Sea, where we see that activity from Russian forces has increased.”
He added: “This is a major and strategically important investment in our defence capability that will help make Norway safer in an unsettled time.” Norway had already contracted four 212CD submarines from TKMS, with the first two currently under construction at the shipbuilder’s yard in Kiel.
In December last year, the Norwegian government proposed increasing the project’s cost framework by NOK 46 billion to allow the acquisition of two additional submarines, a proposal approved this week by a majority in parliament. The decision is intended to provide Norway with a more capable, future-oriented and operationally effective submarine structure in line with the armed forces’ needs and the evolving security situation in Europe.
The first submarine is scheduled for delivery to the Royal Norwegian Navy in 2029. Gro Jære, Director of Forsvarsmateriell, said: “We look forward to starting work on the two additional submarines, and this is an important decision for Norway and a strategic boost for the Navy.”
She added: “Six submarines give Norway a modern, flexible and future-oriented capability that will strengthen both national security and NATO’s collective defence for decades to come.” Norway and Germany have cooperated closely on the development and procurement of the 212CD class since 2017, with the partnership based on identical design, joint project management, shared maintenance and common training and exercises.
