Frigate KNM Oslo

The relatively old and large frigates became more expensive to operate and maintain. A replacement was therefore becoming increasingly urgent. Given funding support from the US fleet plan of 1960, it was possible for Norway to build new frigates. After thorough assessments, the Navy chose the US Dealy class. This is partly because the vessel had a low-noise turbine machinery, as well as a large propeller that would give an advantage in submarine hunting.

The Dealy class was somewhat more expensive than plan figures in Fleet Plan. It had also made some structural adjustments, inter alia to bring in the Norwegian-produced system for short-range detection of submarines. To comply Fleet Plan total budget, therefore had the number of corvettes would be reduced from the original five to two. The frigates had therefore to a greater extent to the protection of the supply lines along the coast as one of their main tasks.

As the primary weapon against submarines was decided the US Mk-44 torpedoes in two triple guns. The torpedoes could also be released from the helicopter, and it was therefore made room for such abaft. Some rapid-firing guns against aircraft and vessels chosen one double US 3 "guns, from US.

The main shipyards in Horten was commissioned to build the first vessel, which should provide a basis for competition for the construction of the next four. A number of foreign and several Norwegian stakeholders competed for the main delivery. It was accepted by the US partners that the mission could go to Norwegian industry if the offer was technically and economically viable, and on this background was also the main delivery given to the Navy's main boatyard.

Frigate KNM Oslo was christened by Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner. It was great celebrations in Horten on the occasion of the event, where His Majesty King Olav was present. KNM Oslo was taken over by the Navy on 29 January 1966, and in respect of the tradition had to build the workshop estimated that there were one million man-hours behind the delivery. Of these, one quarter had gone into the planning and construction. In the years following the takeover went through KNM Oslo several modifications, most recently in 1990, and the frigate appeared as a modern warship with temporal and powerful weapons systems.

Beyond 1960, there was a comprehensive development of anti-ship missiles. Norway developed even a surface-to-surface missile (Penguin), adapted to smaller vessels. There was an awareness that Oslo-class lacked effective air defense, but the tight budget and time frame did not allow that one parallel introduced new weapons. Norway also participated in the development of a surface-to-air missile (Sea Sparrow), and from 1975 the Oslo-class continuously upgraded with both Penguin, Sea Sparrow and new air warning radar. Heliports, who only occasionally had been used, had to be used for the new weapons.

The other major upgrade of Oslo class was completed between 1985-1990. It gave the vessels a significant life extension including a hull mounted Canadian tow sonar mounted on the aft deck, new AU-torpedoes, upgraded communications equipment and new integrated fire control system.

With these and several minor upgrades Oslo class thus had been in active service for about 40 years. Steadily the vessels were going up and down along the long coastline and marked presence and signaled a willingness to sovereignty. In the cities where they have laid their weekend break, this was seen as events, especially in the 70s and 80s of the Cold War and frequent submarine messages. Thousands of young Norwegian men, and eventually many young women, have served on board. They experienced cramped living conditions, tough seas, harsh exercises and long shifts. In return, they experienced friendship, cooperation and self-development, and they had seen much of the country and usually also joined by one or more overseas expeditions.

One frigate met a tragic fate. On 24 January 1994 at 1600 KNM Oslo departed Haakonsvern for conducting exercises in the sea off Marsteinen guy. The vessel had a crew of 114 men. At 1800 the vessel reported that it had engine failure and drifted south, and approximately half hour later, the frigate ran on a rock and stood. By grounding killed one of the ship's officers. Next day morning was KNM Oslo ran aground, and Lars tug started to tow a safer place where the vessel could be due, and how the damage could be inspected. Under tow the frigate took the water, and fore began to sink, but the train continued to try to put the ship aground in a bay. This failed, however, and at 1127 KNM Oslo disappeared deep outside Stenneset in Austvoll. On 24 April, KNM Oslo was raised, placed on a barge from Ødegaard Salvage and towed to Haakonsvern. The vessel had received so much damage that it was decided condemned and broken up in 1994.