Fridtjof Nansen class frigate

The Fridtjof Nansen class of frigates, for the Royal Norwegian Navy, are a derivative of the Spanish Alvaro de Bazán class of AEGIS-equipped air defense frigates. Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy are conducting final systems integration. They will enter service between 2005 and 2010. Total project cost is $3 billion.

Related Topics:
Frigate - Royal Norwegian Navy - Spanish - ''Alvaro de Bazán'' class - AEGIS - Lockheed Martin - U.S. Navy - 2005 - 2010

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The lead ship (and thus, the entire class) is named after Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian explorer and humanitarian.

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The new frigates will prove a great improvement over their predecessors, the Oslo class frigates, both in size, personnel, capabilities and equipment. Compared to the old Oslo class vessels, the new ships will be 35 meters longer, nine meters taller and two meters deeper below water. They will also be five meters broader and have three times the water displacement of the old ships. This will go a great way to solving one of the problems with the Oslo class: lack of space and much discomfort for the crew.

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The Fridtjof Nansen class will be doing extensive service with NATO's permanent Atlantic forces as of 2008, and one of the frigates will be permanently sailing as part of the command as of that year. Until then Norway will, as in the past, continue to contribute to this force, but is unable to retain a permanent presence.

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