VARD can build for the Navy
Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram and Minister of Finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum were impressed with what they learned during their visit at Vard Langsten in Tomrefjord on Monday, September 23.
22. September 2024
The two ministers wanted to visit the shipyard to discuss the new long-term plan for the defense sector. The long-term plan includes, among other things, strengthening the navy with a minimum of five new frigates and up to 10 larger and 18 smaller standardized vessels.
- It's very nice to be back at Vard Langsten and on board KV Jan Mayen. I was last here during the naming ceremony in 2022, Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram said during the visit and continued: - We are now embarking on a significant maritime initiative, and through its deliveries to the Norwegian Navy over several years, VARD has proven that they can deliver quality. They are now positioning themselves well to continue doing so in the future, said Gram.
Extensive track record
VARD is one of the world's leading shipbuilding and ship design companies when it comes to specialized vessels. VARD has long shipbuilding traditions and an extensive track record in building complex and customized vessels with innovation and technology.
VARD owns the entire value chain in the process, ensuring control over delivery, finance, and knowledge.
VARD is the only existing shipbuilder in Norway with experience in building large ships for military use:
· FS Marjata and FS Eger (intelligence ships)
· KV Svalbard (icebreaker)
· KV Harstad
· 3 coast guard vessels in the Jan Mayen class (KV Jan Mayen, KV Bjørnøya, and KV Hopen)
All well received and delivered on time.
Entering the competition
VARD will compete on the building of the larger standardized vessels, hull and top side, and states that a Norwegian solution requires broad and innovative cooperation within the Norwegian industry.
- VARD is known for delivering on time, with the right quality, and at agreed cost. Furthermore, we have good capacity and a burning desire to continue delivering to the Armed Forces. VARD is the only shipyard that can offer Norway frigates from an ongoing program with our closest ally, built in Norway. VARD will also be able to collaborate with those who wish to cooperate with us on standard vessels, and we will contribute our expertise to a major Norwegian effort, says Ronny O. Langset, Yard Director at Vard Langsten.
Large proportion of Norwegian suppliers
Vard Langsten has extensive experience with security-graded acquisitions and has acquired extensive experience with physical security, information management, and personnel security that few other shipyards can offer when it comes to building marine vessels.
VARD uses a large proportion of Norwegian suppliers with service networks in Norway and good access and short lead times on spare parts. As an example, the proportion of equipment from Norwegian suppliers on the third coast guard vessels built by VARD is 80 %. This is important in terms of local and national value creation, but also important from a security and preparedness perspective.
- We are focused on making this a Norwegian industrial success, and it's important to ensure an open and good dialogue. I am focused on choosing a solution that contributes to ripple effects and value creation across the entire country, said Minister of Finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum.
VARD will also build frigates
VARD's first choice for building frigates will be the Constellation class.
Our sister company Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) is currently building Constellation-class frigates for Norway's strongest and closest ally, the USA. This makes VARD the natural choice for any possible construction of frigates in Norway, says Langset:
- Fincantieri and VARD's American solution makes Norway part of the world's largest frigate family. Equally important is that Norway is already part of the AEGIS and Sea Hawk families, which are already on board most platforms in the world's most prominent navy. The operational advantages are many for both the USA and Norway. The solution also represents a real time saving in the delivery of combat platforms and systems ready for operations.
Advantages:
· Norway will have the same operational combat systems as our closest ally, and the same systems as the existing frigates.
· The Constellation-class has a high level of automation that allows for flexible manning.
· Sustainable low-carbon solutions for the vessels.
· The Constellation class belongs to the same design family as FREMM, which has more than 25 vessels in operation.
· Building the frigates and the standard fleet in Norway will provide short lead times and ripple effects to several local communities, subcontractors, and suppliers – and Norway's economy.
· For the best possible future operational reliability of the vessels, it is of the utmost importance that detailed knowledge, expert capacity, and spare parts are located along the coast of Norway.
