A legacy of excellence in frigate and marine platform design – future Norwegian frigates built in Norway
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has a long and proven legacy of designing and delivering world-class frigates. Since 1980, 78 vessels have been delivered across 11 different classes, demonstrating deep expertise, innovation, and reliability in naval shipbuilding.
Ulstein Group also brings a strong legacy in designing the most advanced marine platforms for demanding operations. With decades of experience in offshore and specialized vessels, Ulstein is known for innovation, safety, and performance in extreme environments.
Both Ulstein and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems are organisations that place a strong focus on delivery precision and project execution. Reliable, on-time delivery is a hallmark of both companies, making this partnership a dependable and capable alternative for the Norwegian Navy. By combining our shared expertise in naval and commercial shipbuilding, this partnership represents a strong and future-ready alternative for the Norwegian Navy.
Background
- Ulstein signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with tkMS on March 26, 2025, based on shared values and strategies.
- Both companies have experience building vessels in the customer’s home country.
- One example is the frigate program in Brazil, where tkMS is realizing these vessels at its own shipyard.
- tkMS places strong emphasis on technology transfers, ensuring long-term competence building and industrial development in the partner country.
Building strategy
The hull production will be in Germany, and the outfitting in Norway. This is a well-known and proven model for how Ulstein is realising commercial vessels.
- tkMS has decades of experience with this model and with frigate design.
Opportunities for Norwegian industry
The new design offers significant opportunities for Norwegian equipment suppliers to integrate their products and systems. The majority of the project’s scope is planned to be carried out in Norway, and the outfitting phase alone is expected to continuously engage 400–430 people. In addition, there will be personnel from companies delivering systems such as ventilation, interior, painting, etc.
Employment and ripple effects
The multiplier effect is significant:
1 man-year at a shipyard leads to 3 to 3.5 man-years in the supply chain. An additional 2 to 2.5 man-years come from investment effects, consumption, and tax revenues. These figures apply to the construction phase – the operational phase of the vessels will generate further effects.
Conclusion
This is the only European alternative that includes building in Norway – bringing with it substantial employment and ripple effects.
It represents a major opportunity for value creation in our region and the Norwegian maritime industry with huge opportunities for Norwegian suppliers.
This new design is now under development, offering significant potential for Norway’s world-class maritime suppliers. The scope is not limited to the 5–6 Norwegian frigates – this frigate design will also be built for the German Navy, with totally 10-12 planned., and a potential for substantial more.
Supplier meeting points – Week 21
Please be informed that there will be supplier gatherings in Kristiansand (20 May), Ålesund (21 May), and Bergen (22 May). These events are an opportunity to meet the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems team and present your products and systems relevant to the frigate programme.
