Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate
The Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates
are the main surface combatant units of the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ships are
named after famous Norwegian explorers, with the lead ship of the class bearing
the name of Fridtjof Nansen, the Norwegian scientist, explorer and
humanitarian. Five ships were ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Bazan (now Navantia).
As of 2011, five ships are in active service.
F310 Fridtjof Nansen
F311 Roald Amundsen
F312 Otto Sverdrup
F313 Helge Ingstad
F314 Thor Heyerdahl
The new frigates will prove a
great improvement over their predecessors, the Oslo-class frigates, not only in
size, but also in 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. The frigates will also operate
six new NFH NH90 helicopters, with the role as an extended "arm" of
the frigates' ASW and ASuW.
Knm Thor Heyerdahl is seen arriving Leith 27th March 2014
