KONGSBERG and Salt Ship Design to design Norway’s standardised vessels

30 Mar 2026 12:40 CEST

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) and Salt Ship Design (SALT) have
jointly won the contract to design the new standardised vessels for the
Norwegian Navy.

The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) announced today that SALT and
KONGSBERG have been awarded a contract to develop a design concept for
standardised vessels. The companies have worked closely for years to secure a
Norwegian programme, while also pursuing a international opportunities.

“This marks an important step forward for KONGSBERG and the Norwegian defence
and maritime industry, and we look forward to contributing our expertise and
technology to develop the standardised vessels of the future in Norway and
internationally,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. “A
standardised fleet based on KONGSBERG and SALT’s expertise, in support of the
Armed Forces and NDMA, will simplify maintenance, reduce costs and ensure more
efficient operations for the Navy,” said Lie.

In January, the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency initiated a prequalification
process for the design of up to 28 new standardised vessels for the Norwegian
Navy. The current fleet of more than 10 vessel classes we be reduced to a
standardised fleet to streamline operations, increase operational flexibility
and extend the service life of the vessels. After two months, KONGSBERG and SALT
have been selected as the winning team.

“Through our new office in Bergen, we have strengthened our team and in
collaboration with KONGSBERG we are establishing ourselves as a solid and
trustworthy partner for the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency locally and in the
international naval market,” said Torbjørn Bringedal, General Manager of Salt
Ship Design Bergen.

The Norwegian assignment facilitates the establishment of an international class
of standard vessels, based on KONGSBERG and SALT design expertise.

In March, KONGSBERG, SALT and Ottawa-based Adaptive Marine Solutions Inc. won a
contract for the design of the Canadian Coast Guard's new vessels, which will be
built under Canada's national shipbuilding strategy.

In the revised long-term plan for the defense sector announced on Friday, March
27, the Government said the deliveries of standardised vessels to the United
Kingdom are part of the strategic agreement in connection with the Norwegian
frigate procurement. Norwegian authorities have also entered into an agreement
with Lithuania on the delivery of standardised vessels.

The Norwegian government said its goal was to contribute to increased allied
standardization through closer and more binding cooperation with allies, and at
the same time strengthen its national maritime and defence industry.

About KONGSBERG
Kongsberg Gruppen ASA (OSE ticker: KOG) is an international knowledge-based
group delivering high-tech systems and solutions to customers across a wide
range of markets including defence, security, maritime, energy, aerospace,
climate, and subsea technology. KONGSBERG has more than 15,000 employees in 40
countries and recorded total revenues of NOK 58.6 billion in 2025.

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