Norway has decided to buy a new-generation minehunting system developed by local industry and produced by Kongsberg Group to replace its present fleet on minehunters. The contract, which will be submitted to Parliament, will cost 4.4 billion NOK, of about $405 million
“Work is now starting to replace the current minesweeping vessels with new autonomous systems. We are setting aside funds in the state budget for next year to expand the operation of the mine-clearing vessels and prepare for the phasing in of the driverless vessels that have been developed by FFI, the Norwegian Armed Forces and Kongsberg Gruppen,” says Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp).
The government proposes to allocate approximately NOK 36 million in next year’s budget. The funds will be used to expand the operation of the minesweeping vessels and prepare for the phasing in of future maritime mine countermeasures capability.
The Norwegian Navy has wanted the job to be done without personnel having to enter the mined area, when the Norwegian Navy acquires new equipment to clear sea mines. FFI has developed technology that enables clearing to be carried out with autonomous systems that cooperate effectively with the rest of the maritime force. They are equipped with new advanced systems for the detection and neutralization of sea mines. The system forms the basis for being able to introduce more autonomous systems in the Armed Forces.