Defense expert criticizes purchase of British frigates: – Unwise
The government has decided to buy British frigates. Naval captain believes the air defense is old-fashioned and limited.
Naval captain and researcher at the Norwegian Naval Academy Tor Ivar Strømmen
Ingeborg Christensen Breivik
– Journalist
During a press conference on Sunday, it was announced that Norway will purchase frigates from the United Kingdom, worth 125 billion kroner.
The British frigate was chosen largely based on which country is considered the best strategic partner for Norway, Støre said during the press conference.
Jonas Gahr Støre with glasses
– Now we have chosen to buy a single-role submarine frigate, which I think is unwise, technically speaking, says Tor Ivar Strømmen, naval captain at the Norwegian Naval Academy to NRK.
The choice was between the selection of British, French, German and American frigates.
– The French frigate and partly the German frigate are a far better alternative in terms of performance, says Strømmen.
United Kingdom – Type 26 (BAE Systems)Displacement: Approx. 7,600 tons.Crew: 157, with capacity for up to 208 people.Specialization: Focused on anti-submarine warfare with silent electric propulsion and advanced sonar equipment.Weapon systems: Equipped with Mk41 VLS for various missile types, including the Evolved Sea Sparrow.Status: In production for the Royal Navy; also ordered by Canada and Australia.
The Norwegian Officers and Specialists' Association supports the purchase of British frigates.
– It is our assessment that the choice is the best both in technical design, but not least as a basis for strategic cooperation over a long period of time, and will build on an already established cooperation over many decades, says union leader Torbjørn Bongo.
Strong criticism from the Reds
The government has been advised against selecting British frigates from several sources because the frigates have some components from Israeli companies, which are excluded by the oil fund.
The government has not asked the UK to replace these parts.
– It is out of the question for Red to support this choice, unless the government demands that the British frigates stay far away from Israeli component suppliers, says foreign policy spokesperson for Red Bjørnar Moxnes.
– Norway does not have a general boycott of Israel, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre during the press conference.
Støre is asked if he fears a new debate in line with the one surrounding the oil fund's investments in Israel.
– We will have to take the debates that come, but now it is about making a decision about the best strategic partner, and the best frigate for Norway, answers Støre.
He says that the Storting has been informed about the election.
– Now we expect the government to find solutions that also exclude Israeli suppliers, or other actors who contribute to the genocide in Palestine, says Ingrid Fiskaa in SV
SV says that it is wise for the government to choose frigates from countries other than the United States.
Liberal Party member Sveinung Rotevatn says it is good that a choice has finally been made. At the same time, he believes that we must look more closely into the fact that the British frigates have Israeli parts.
– Not least whether the Israeli subcontractor is a mandatory part of this, or whether there are options. The fact that we are talking about actors that the oil fund cannot invest in is of course reason to take note and delve deeper into this.
The Center Party supports the election, saying it both strengthens the Norwegian Armed Forces and the strategic cooperation with the United Kingdom.
– The UK is our most important European ally, with common security policy interests in our sea areas. The decision is an important step in the follow-up of the long-term plan for the Armed Forces, states Deputy Chairman of the Norwegian Defence Council Bjørn Arild Gram.
– Supports the government's decision
The government receives support from the Conservative Party in the purchase of the British frigates.
– The Conservative Party supports the government's decision to choose the United Kingdom as a strategic partner for the frigate purchase.
That is what the Storting's foreign affairs and defense committee, Ine Eriksen Søreide (H), says.
Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide with her hands in the air
She adds that the party has been concerned that Norway should choose the supplier with which Norway will further develop its strategic partnership over the next few decades.
– It's about sharing situational awareness, and having geographical proximity and very important common strategic interests in our nearby sea areas, she says.
– Not an easy choice
The British frigate was chosen largely based on which country is considered the best strategic partner for Norway, Støre said during the press conference.
– We have chosen to move forward with the UK. It is not an easy choice, because there are close partners and good offers from the other countries, he says.
The government highlights Norway's historically close cooperation with the United Kingdom as the background for the choice.
United Kingdom Type 26 (BAE Systems) Displacement: Approx. 7,600 tons. Crew: 157, with capacity for up to 208 personnel. Specialization: Focused on anti-submarine warfare with silent electric propulsion and advanced sonar equipment. Weapon systems: Equipped with Mk41 VLS for various missile types, including the Evolved Sea Sparrow. Status: In production for the Royal Navy; also ordered by Canada and Australia. BAE Systems
Sales pitch from the British government
The frigate is specialized in detecting and fighting submarines. Both the United Kingdom (8 units), Australia (9 units) and Canada (15) will have the same frigate. This has accelerated construction, and will be able to push down prices and make maintenance easier.
Industrial cooperation
Will collaborate with Kongsberg Gruppen, Nammo and Umoe Mandal on equipping the frigate, and Norwegian shipyards on maintenance. This could potentially apply to all 37–38 frigates, if Norway chooses the British one.
Industrial cooperation
If it becomes a British frigate, Umoe Mandal will enter into a contract to build 26 smaller combat boats for the British Armed Forces
Delivery
Will be able to deliver the first frigate to Norway by 2029.
Interests
The UK and Norway have strong shared interests in the North, and the forces have trained together in the Arctic for over 50 years. The British frigate is equipped to cope with the weather conditions in the waters in which it will operate.
“The British Navy builds vessels for one role. It simply has old-fashioned and quite limited air defense,” says defense expert Strømmen.
– Does that mean you believe we have made a decision based on political reasons, not military strategic ones?
– I don't want to use that word, but we have not chosen a frigate based on which frigate gives us the best performance to solve the variety of tasks our frigates will solve.
– Great opportunities for Norwegian business
The Norwegian People's Party (FRP) takes note of the government's decision and hopes they have made a good choice.
– What is important is to ensure good cooperation with Norwegian industry in the construction and development of the frigates, so that this purchase can also contribute to Norwegian jobs and enable us to carry out maintenance of the frigates, says defense policy spokesperson Morten Wold.
The Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise is pleased with the decision.
– This is one of the most comprehensive agreements Norwegian authorities have entered into, and involves a buy-back clause that could provide major opportunities for Norwegian business, says Director Ole Erik Almlid.
– We know that several Norwegian world-leading companies are ready to take advantage of the potential inherent in such an agreement, he continues.
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