View source for Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate

{{Short description|Class of ships of the Royal Norwegian Navy.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = HNoMS Otto Sverdrup.jpg
| Ship caption = {{HNoMS|Otto Sverdrup|F312|6}}
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
| Name = ''Fridtjof Nansen'' class
| National Origin = [[Norway]]
| Builders = [[Navantia]], [[Ferrol, Spain]]
| Operators = {{navy|NOR}}
| Class before = {{sclass|Oslo|frigate|4}}
| Class after = 
| Subclasses = 
| Cost = *{{ShipCost|NOR|21|b|year=2003|origin=ESP|qty=5|est=yes}} 
*{{ShipCost|NOR|4.2|b|year=2003|origin=ESP|qty=1|est=yes}}
*USD {{Format price|{{To USD|4200000000|NOR}} }} per unit (est.)
| First commissioned date = 2006-present
| First in service date = 
| Final decommission date = 
| In commission range = 
| Total ships building = 
| Total ships planned = 
| Total ships completed = 5
| Total ships cancelled = 
| Total ships active = 4
| Total ships laid up = 
| Total ships lost = 1
| Total ships retired = 
| Total ships preserved = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship type = [[Frigate|Multi-role frigate]]
| Ship displacement = 5,290 tons full load
| Ship length = {{convert|134|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|16.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|7.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skipsrevyen.no/batomtaler/knm-fridtjof-nansen/|title = KNM "FRIDTJOF NANSEN" - Skipsrevyen.no|date = 20 November 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://maritimt.com/nb/batomtaler/fridtjof-nansen-042006|title=Fridtjof Nansen (04/2006)|date=17 April 2006}}</ref>
| Ship propulsion = *[[Combined diesel and gas|Combined diesel and gas turbine]] (CODAG)
* Two BAZAN BRAVO 12V 4.5 MW [[diesel engine]]s for cruising
* One [[General Electric|GE]] [[General Electric LM2500|LM2500]] 21.5 MW [[gas turbine]] for high speed running
* MAAG [[transmission (mechanics)|gearboxes]]
* Two shafts driving [[controllable pitch propeller]]s
* Bow Thruster Retractable (Electric) 1 MW Brunvoll
* Diesel generators 4 × MTU 396 Serie 12V 1250 KVA|-
| Ship speed = {{convert|27|kn|lk=in}}+
| Ship range = {{convert|4.500|nmi|km mi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|16|kn}}
| Ship complement = 120, accommodations for 146
| Ship sensors = *[[Lockheed Martin]] [[AN/SPY-1]]F 3D multifunction [[radar]]
* Reutech RSR 210N air/sea surveillance radar
* Sagem Vigy 20 Electro Optical Director
* Kongsberg MSI 2005F ASW combat system
* MRS 2000 hull mounted [[sonar]]
* Captas MK II V1 active/passive towed array sonar
* 2 × Mark 82 [[AN/SPG-62]] fire-control radar
| Ship EW = *Condor CS-3701 ECM:/ESM: suite
*Terma DL-12T decoy launcher
*  Loki torpedo countermeasure
| Ship armament = *1 or 2 × 8-cell [[Mark 41 Vertical Launching System|Mk 41]] [[Vertical Launching System|VLS]] (32 × [[RIM-162 ESSM]])
* 8 × [[Naval Strike Missile]] [[Surface-to-surface missile|SSMs]]
* 4 × [[torpedo tube]]s for [[Sting Ray torpedo]]es
* [[Depth charge]]s
* 1 × [[Otobreda 76 mm|76 mm OTO Melara Super Rapid gun]]
* 3 × 12.7 mm [[M2 Browning machine gun|Browning M2HB]] machine gun in [[Protector (RWS)|Sea Protector]] mounts
* 2 × 7.62mm [[MG 3 machine gun]]
* Capabilities for other weapons<ref group=note>The class is prepared for, but not equipped with:
* 1 × [[Otobreda 127/54 Compact|Otobreda 127&nbsp;mm/54 gun]] to replace the 76 mm
* 1 × spare [[Otobreda 76 mm|76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid gun]]
* 1 × spare [[CIWS]] gun of 40 mm calibre or less
* 1 × spare 8-cell Mk 41 [[Vertical Launching System|VLS]] launchers
* Low cost [[Anti-submarine weapon|ASROC]]
* [[Electronic countermeasures|ECM]]: Active Off-board Decoy
* 3 × [[Protector (RWS)]] (Sea Protector)</ref>
* 2 × LRAD [[Long Range Acoustic Device]]
| Ship armour = 
| Ship armor = 
| Ship aircraft = 1 × medium-sized ASW helicopter
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}

The '''''Fridtjof Nansen''-class frigates''' are a [[Ship class|class]] of [[frigate]]s that are the main surface combatant units of the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]]. The ships are named after famous [[:Category:Norwegian explorers|Norwegian explorers]], with [[HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310)|the lead ship of the class]] bearing the name of [[Fridtjof Nansen]]. Five ships were ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Bazan (now [[Navantia]]).

The total projected cost for all five ships in 2009 was {{NOK|21 billion|link=yes|}} (about {{USD}}{{Format price|{{To USD|21000000000|NOR}} }}).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.no/fregatter/start/fakta/ |title=Fakta om Nansenklasse fregatter |trans-title=Facts about Nansen Class frigates |access-date=2 March 2009 |work=[[Norwegian Armed Forces]] |language=no |date=19 March 2003 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203153628/http://www.mil.no/fregatter/start/fakta/ |archive-date=3 February 2009 }}</ref> 
As of November 2018, four are in active service and one has sunk and was subsequently scrapped.

==Design==
The frigates were originally intended as a replacement for the aging {{sclass|Oslo|frigate|1}}s, with a primary focus on [[anti-submarine warfare]] (ASW). Eventually, the need for a robust [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] defense as well as the possibility of incorporating the [[Naval Strike Missile]] [[surface-to-surface missile]] produced by Norwegian company [[Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace]] led to a more multi-role design. The selection of Navantia as prime contractor led to the design being very similar to the [[Spanish Navy]]'s {{sclass|Álvaro de Bazán|frigate|1}}s, including the incorporation of [[Lockheed Martin]]'s [[AEGIS combat system]].

==Improvements==
The ''Fridtjof Nansen''-class frigates are larger, and have more personnel and equipment than the ''Oslo''-class frigates. Compared to the ''Oslo''-class vessels, the new vessels are 35 meters longer, nine meters taller and two meters deeper below water. They are also five meters broader and have three times the water displacement of the old ships. The frigates operated six NFH [[NH90]] helicopters, with the role as an extended "arm" of the frigates' [[Anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine]] and [[Anti-Surface Warfare|anti-surface]] capabilities but these will be taken out of services (2022) and returned to NH Industries. In 2023, Norway announced the acquisition of 6 [[Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk#MH-60R|MH-60R helicopters]]. While the helicopters would be prepared to be equipped for anti-submarine operations, they were initially to be deployed with the [[Norwegian Coast Guard]]. This meant that the replacement of helicopters specifically to operate off the ''Fridtjof Nansen''-class remained outstanding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://euro-sd.com/2023/03/news/30298/norway-to-replace-its-cancelled-nh90s-with-six-sikorsky-mh-60rs/|title=Norway to Replace its Cancelled NH90s with Six Sikorsky MH-60Rs |last=Felstead |first=Peter |access-date=2023-06-05|date=15 March 2023 |website=European Security and Defence}}</ref>

The 2023 defence acquisitions plan indicated that the frigates would undergo technical upgrades beginning in 2025 in order to maintain their operational capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/595f6354301a4d7b9d63ef1c8e486482/faf-2023-2030-engelsk-versjon.pdf|title=Future Acquisitions For the Norwegian Defence Sector 2023–2030  |access-date=2023-06-05|date=May 2023 |publisher=Norwegian Defence Ministry}}</ref>

==Service history==
On 26 February 2009, the Norwegian government decided to deploy ''Fridtjof Nansen'' to the [[Gulf of Aden]], thereby participating in the ongoing [[Operation Atalanta]], the European Union's counter-piracy campaign in [[Somalia]]. ''Fridtjof Nansen'' joined the campaign in August 2009.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Norwegian Defence Force |url=http://www.mil.no/sjo/start/article.jhtml?articleID=174044 |title=Norsk fregatt til Somalia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301041456/http://www.mil.no/sjo/start/article.jhtml?articleID=174044 |archive-date=1 March 2009 |language=no}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Norwegian frigate to join fight against piracy |url=http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21705/1/ |agency=[[Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation]] |work=The Norway Post |date=1 March 2009 |access-date=2 March 2009 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629131056/http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21705/1/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Fridtjof Nansen''{{'}}s engagement in Operation Atalanta was carried out without a permanently stationed helicopter.<ref>{{cite web |website=Dagbladet.no |url=http://www.dagbladet.no/2009/08/01/nyheter/pirater/somalia/kapring/forsvaret/7463543/ |title=Norsk fregatt setter kurs mot Afrika |date=August 2009 |language=no |access-date=8 November 2018}}</ref> Mainly due to delays in delivery of the new [[NH-90]], the ship was equipped with two fast [[Rigid-hulled inflatable boat|RHIBs]] for its onboard contingent of maritime [[Special forces|special operations forces]] ([[Marinejegerkommandoen]]).<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Norwegian Defence Force |url=http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=187690 |title=Nansen er klar til dyst |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090801221614/http://www.mil.no/start/article.jhtml?articleID=187690 |archive-date=1 August 2009 |language=no}}</ref>

In November 2009 she became involved in a firefight with suspected pirates after being attacked while inspecting a fishing vessel.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

In December 2013 HNoMS ''Helge Ingstad'' and the Danish {{sclass|Absalon|support ship|0}} support ship {{HDMS|Esbern Snare|L17|6}} were sent to the [[Syria]]n port of [[Latakia]] to escort the Norwegian registered [[RoRo]] cargo ship {{MV|Taiko||2}} and the Danish cargo ship {{MV|Ark Futura||2}}, which transported [[Syria chemical weapons program|Syrian chemical weapons]] to Italy where they were handed over to a [[United States Navy]] ship [[Destruction of Syria's chemical weapons|for destruction]] in international waters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bt.no/nyheter/utenriks/Helge-Ingstad-i-posisjon-utenfor-Syria-3030444.html#.UsEn8fTuJOI |title="Helge Ingstad" i posisjon utenfor Syria |trans-title="Helge Ingstad" in position outside Syria |language=no |work=Bergens Tidende |date=29 December 2013 |access-date=8 November 2018 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305143410/http://www.bt.no/nyheter/utenriks/Helge-Ingstad-i-posisjon-utenfor-Syria-3030444.html#.UsEn8fTuJOI |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/press/news/2013/joint_operation.html?id=747527 |title=Syria: Denmark and Norway offer to transport chemical weapons |publisher=Government of Norway |date=6 December 2013 |access-date=8 November 2018}}</ref>

On 8 November 2018, while returning from participation in [[Exercise Trident Juncture 2018|Exercise ''Trident Juncture'']], ''Helge Ingstad'' was involved in a collision with a [[Malta|Maltese]]-registered [[oil tanker]], ''Sola TS'', that severely damaged the frigate and caused a severe list that placed it in serious danger of sinking in spite of its position. The frigate first ran aground and then was successfully [[Beaching (nautical)|beached]] and tethered with wire cable to prevent it sinking and allow the crew to be evacuated.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46136564 |title=Helge Ingstad: Norway's warship collides with tanker in fjord |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=8 November 2018 |website=BBC News |access-date=8 November 2018 }}</ref> In the early hours of 13 November the vessel partially sank with only smaller sections of the superstructure remaining above water.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thebarentsobserver.com/en/security/2018/11/latest-frigate-helge-ingstad-sinks |title=Latest: Frigate "Helge Ingstad" sinks |work=The Barents Observer |last=Nilsen |first=Thomas |date=13 November 2018 |access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref> The vessel was recovered but with the cost of repair prohibitive it has been decommissioned and was scrapped.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fregatten Helge Ingstad er nå historie |url=https://www.fma.no/aktuelt-og-media/2020/fregatten-helge-ingstad-er-na-historie |website=fma.no |publisher=Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency |access-date=5 July 2022 |language=Norwegian}}</ref>

==Ships in class==
The ships are named after explorers [[Fridtjof Nansen]], [[Roald Amundsen]], [[Otto Sverdrup]], [[Helge Ingstad]] and [[Thor Heyerdahl]].

{| class="wikitable"
!Pennant number
!Name
!Ordered
!Laid down
!Launched
!Commissioned
!Decommissioned
!Status
|-
|F310
|{{HNoMS|Fridtjof Nansen|F310|2}}
|23 June 2000
|9 April 2003
|3 June 2004
|5 April 2006
|
|Active
|-
|F311
|{{HNoMS|Roald Amundsen|F311|2}}
|23 June 2000
|3 June 2004
|25 May 2005
|21 May 2007<ref>Norwegian Defence Force official website: [http://www.mil.no/sjo/start/article.jhtml?articleID=142767 ''Første seilas med F311''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930221055/http://www.mil.no/sjo/start/article.jhtml?articleID=142767 |date=30 September 2007 }} {{in lang|no}}</ref>
|
|Active
|-
|F312
|{{HNoMS|Otto Sverdrup|F312|2}}
|23 June 2000
|25 May 2005
|28 April 2006
|30 April 2008<ref>Norwegian Defence Force official website: [http://www.mil.no/start/aktuelt/article.jhtml?articleID=160981''Tredje fregatt på norske hender''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502190111/http://www.mil.no/start/aktuelt/article.jhtml?articleID=160981 |date=2 May 2008 }} {{in lang|no}}</ref>
|
|Active
|-
|F313
|{{HNoMS|Helge Ingstad|F313|2}}
|23 June 2000
|28 April 2006
|23 November 2007
|29 September 2009
|24 June 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsinenglish.no/2019/06/24/navy-confirms-frigate-scrapping/|title=Ministry confirms frigate scrapping|date=24 June 2019 }}</ref>
|Scrapped, January 2021<ref>{{Cite news|first=Nicholas|last=Fiorenza|date=18 January 2021|title=Norway scraps frigate Helge Ingstad|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/norway-scraps-frigate-helge-ingstad|access-date=2021-03-08|website=Janes.com|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|F314
|{{HNoMS|Thor Heyerdahl|F314|2}}
|23 June 2000
|23 November 2007
|11 February 2009
|18 January 2011
|
|Active
|-
|}

== Future replacement of the ''Fridtjof Nansen'' class ==
In June 2023, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence published ''The Military Advice of the Chief of Defence 2023'', in which General Eirik Kristoffersen (Chief of Defence) recommended that Norway replace the RNoN's in-service ''Fridtjof Nansen''-class frigates and increase the force level to six ships. Delivering a new frigate likely will be central to the government’s long-term plan to build a new surface force structure within a wider fleet renewal programme. The government likely will emphasize the need to deliver the future frigate through partnership with close allies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/01/norway-seeks-international-partners-for-future-frigate/ |title=Norway Seeks International Partners For Future Frigate |last=Willett |first=Lee |work=Naval News |date=23 January 2024 |access-date=20 February 2024}}</ref>

In the New Norwegian Long Term Plan on Defence from April 2024, it is proposed to replace the class with five new frigates with the same focus (ASW) as the Nansen class.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Norwegian Long Term Plan on Defence: 'A historic plan' |url=https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/new-norwegian-long-term-plan-on-defence-a-historic-plan/id3032878/ |website=Government.no |publisher=Norwegian Government |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref>

== Images ==
<gallery>
File:KNM Fridtjof Nansen-2006-06-01-side.jpg|View of the lead ship of the class, ''Fridtjof Nansen''
File:KNM Fridtjof Nansen 02.JPG|Close-up of superstructure of ''Fridtjof Nansen''
File:Nansen-oto75mm-2006-07-03.jpg|The OTO Breda 76&nbsp;mm gun. Note the low-RCS design of both the gun house and the exposed part of the barbette.
File:KNM Otto Sverdrup in Trondheim.jpg|''Otto Sverdrup'' leaving Trondheim, Norway, November 2009.
File:KNM Otto Sverdrup-2009-04-10-Haakonsvern.jpg|''Otto Sverdrup'' at [[Haakonsvern]] Naval Base.
File:KNM Roald Amundsen (F311) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 16 February 2018 (180216-N-GC347-175).JPG|''Roald Amundsen''.
File:KNM Helge Ingstad.jpg|''Helge Ingstad''
File:Nor F314.jpg|''Thor Heyerdahl''
File:HNoMS Otto Sverdrup at South Quay, London.jpg|''Otto Sverdrup'' moored at South Quay in London, December 2017
</gallery>

==See also==
*{{sclass|Formidable|frigate|1}} (Singapore)
*{{sclass|Admiral Grigorovich|frigate|1}} (Russia)
*{{sclass|Tamandaré|frigate|1}} (Brazil)
*[[Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention]] (France)
*[[Type 31 frigate|Type 31]] frigates (United Kingdom)
*[[Aegis Combat System]]
*[[List of naval ship classes in service]]
*[[List of active Royal Norwegian Navy ships]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist |group=note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Fridtjof Nansen class frigate}}
* [https://forsvaret.no/en/facts/equipment/fridtjof-nansen-class Official Royal Norwegian Navy website on the class] {{in lang|en}}
* [https://forsvaret.no/fakta/utstyr/Sjoe/Nansen-klasse-fregatt Official Royal Norwegian Navy website on the class] {{in lang|no}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090327043212/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/ms2/Radar_Sense_Fall07_Spread.pdf Lockheedmartin:Spy-1F makes waves during debut, makes the furthest ESSM intercept ever, outstanding sea skimmer detection]
* [http://www.deagel.com/news/Norway-Selects-Sting-Ray-Mod-1-Anti-Submarine-Torpedo_n000005722.aspx Norway order Sting Ray mod 1 torpedo for frigates]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101231102749/http://www.kongsberg.com/en/KDS/News/2009/March/0310SeaProtectortoFridtjofNansenFrigate.aspx Sea Protector remote weapon systems ordered (March 2009) for Nansen frigates]
* [http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/01/07/Norway-contracts-for-sub-detection-tech/UPI-51371262896800/ Norway ordering the AN/SSQ-62E DICASS sonobuoy acoustic emissions detection system (Jan 2010)]
* [https://archive.today/20130121093331/http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18513/ http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18513/ - Reutech radar installed aboard Norwegian frigate (Oct 2010)]

{{Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate}}
{{Royal Norwegian Navy}}
{{Active naval ships of Norway}}
{{Navantia|state=autocollapse}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fridtjof Nansen Class Frigate}}
[[Category:Frigates of Norway]]
[[Category:Fridtjof Nansen|Frigate]]
[[Category:Frigate classes]]
[[Category:Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates| ]]