Fridtjof Nansen (F85) class Project 6088 New Frigate
The Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates, also known as Project 6088, are the backbone of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s surface fleet. Built by Navantia in Spain between 2003 and 2011, the class was conceived as a modern, stealthy replacement for Norway’s aging Oslo-class ships. Originally designed around an anti-submarine warfare role to protect Norwegian waters and the North Atlantic approaches, the vessels have since matured into true multi-role frigates, equally capable in anti-air and anti-surface operations. Their clean lines, angular superstructure, and reduced radar signature reflect a design philosophy that sought to combine survivability with versatility, while integrating seamlessly into NATO’s broader maritime defense structure. Nansen Class frigates replaced the steam-powered Oslo Class frigates built in the 1960s. The ships were designed and built by the Spanish shipyard Navantia in Ferrol, northwest of Spain. One of the modules has been built in Norway, but the compilation was done in Ferrol. The five frigates have all been named for great Norwegian explorers and scientists.
The BAZAN NF project is a 130 m long monohull antisubmarine frigate, with a displacement of 4,600 t, a maximum transit speed of 27 knots, steel hull and superstructure, a CODLAG propulsion plant, an electric plant working in parallel or split mode, provided with helicopter and medical facilities, excellent seakeeping characteristics and enhanced survivability features, with special emphasis on minimising the underwater signature to obtain the most feasible silent frigate. Special emphasis has been paid in the design to ship automation, human factors, ship supportability, life cycle cost and the use of commercial off the shelf equipment, which had been considered as leading factors in the design process.
Each ship displaces around 5,300 tons fully loaded and measures roughly 132 meters in length, with a beam of nearly 17 meters. Propulsion is provided by a combined diesel and gas system, featuring two Bazan Bravo diesels alongside a General Electric LM2500 gas turbine. This arrangement allows the frigates to cruise economically for long patrols but also sprint to speeds exceeding 27 knots when required. The ships carry a crew of just over 120 sailors, though automation has kept manning levels lower than comparably sized vessels in other navies.
The combat system is built around the American Aegis suite, equipped with the SPY-1F phased-array radar, a scaled-down but still potent version of the AN/SPY-1 system carried on U.S. Arleigh Burke destroyers. This gives the Nansen-class a high level of situational awareness and interoperability with NATO air defense networks. For weapons, the ships mount a vertical launch system capable of carrying thirty-two Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, a powerful area-defense capability unusual for a fleet of Norway’s size. They are also armed with the indigenous Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile for long-range anti-ship engagements, a 76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid gun for general use, and lightweight torpedoes for submarine threats. To support their primary ASW mission, the ships carry a full sonar suite, including hull-mounted and towed array systems, and a hangar capable of hosting an NH-90 helicopter.
The Navy had 5 frigates. These are among the navy's largest vessels and are like a small community in the cold. The crew is approximately 120 and operates for shorter and longer periods at sea either alone or along with other vessels. The assignments may vary from sovereignty North Detective, via search and rescue missions in the North Sea to operations in the Mediterranean. In order for a navy vessel to work they depend that everyone can do their jobs and contribute to their field. Therea are a range of features to be covered: Propulsion, power generation,cooking, sanitation, supply service, accident service, maintenance, operation of weapons and sensors - just to name a few areas.
These vessels have a relatively small crew, which means that everyone on board has more tasks in addition to their main function. The service is both interesting and varied. Ther frigates are meant to operate both in domestic and foreign waters. The possibility of international service is absolutely necessary. Norwegian frigates have participated in NATO's standing Atlantic-force for many years and will continue to participate in the years to come. Deployment is usually about 6 months duration. The period runs the vessel together with allied navy vessels, and harbor visits in several of Europe's port cities are common. Crews bunk in 6-man cabins in the vessel's lower section for sailors and apprentices.
The Norwegian fleet is responsible for manning, training and maintenance of the Navy's units and their associated operational support units. Main naval units include the frigates of the Fridtjof Nansen-class, the submarines of the Ula-class, the corvettes of the Skjold-class and finally, the MCMVs of the Oksøy-class and the Alta-class. All units are homeported at Haakonsvern naval base in Bergen, Western Norway.
From 2015, the frigates were supplemented with NH90 helicopters. This will make the frigates more flexible, also when it comes to participating in national and international operations. Norwa acquired fourteen NH-90 helicopters, primarily for maritime service on frigates of the Fridtjof Nansen class and the Coast Guard. NH-90 is a European development of a helicopter in two basic versions: one for tactical squad transport (TTH), and a marine operations (NFH). The helicopter is classified as a medium-heavy, two-car helicopter with a maximum departure weight of 11,000 kg.
France, Italy, the Netherlands and Germany and their respective national aviation industry under the leadership of NATO Helicopter Industries (NHI) have organized themselves into a customer organization (NAHEMA) and a supplier organization (Nato Helicopter Industries), both located in Aix-en-Provence, France. As of October 2015, another 9 nations have gone to the acquisition of NH-90 and so far more than 250 helicopters have been delivered.
Norway is today outside NAHEMA, but is part of a number of areas in collaboration with other NH-90 nations, both in the development phase and in the operating phase of the helicopters. The Norwegian helicopters are produced in AgustaWestland's production facility in Tessera, Italy.
In order for frigates to be able to operate even if they are damaged, the vessels are divided into zones to enable the vessel to be intact. They have thirteen fixed zone and four NBCD zones with ventilation and pressure (gas boiler ). Two of these zones are self-contained with their own power supply and there are two cleaning stations on board.
The frigates are equipped to fight in all maritime warfare areas, anti-aircraft, at the surface and under water. The last of five frigates was handed over to the Navy in January 2011. The five frigates are: KNM Fridtjof Nansen, KNM Roald Amundsen, KNM Otto Sverdrup, KNM Helge Ingstad and KNM Thor Heyerdahl.
Service history has been mixed. While the class quickly became central to Norway’s fleet, one unit, HNoMS Helge Ingstad, was lost following a 2018 collision with an oil tanker. The damaged vessel was deemed beyond repair and scrapped, reducing the active force to four. To extend the lives of the remaining frigates, Navantia and Norwegian defense authorities have undertaken modernization programs, focusing on combat system upgrades, new sensors, and improved aviation facilities. The NH-90 helicopters originally paired with the ships have struggled with reliability, and the Norwegian government has since decided to replace them with U.S.-built MH-60R Seahawks.
Looking to the future, Norway has already committed to replacing the Nansen-class in the early 2030s. After evaluating multiple contenders—including the French FDI, the German F-126/127, and the American Constellation-class—the Norwegian Ministry of Defence selected the UK’s Type 26 City-class design as the preferred successor. A contract signed in August 2025 outlines plans for at least five new frigates worth approximately £10 billion, with the first vessels expected to enter service in the 2030s. Until then, the Nansen-class remains Norway’s primary tool for maritime defense, contributing not only to the nation’s security but also to NATO’s collective deterrence posture in northern waters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
