New Report – September 2006

Program Status: Planned.

Operational Requirement: The Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) has a requirement for a Roll-on/Roll-off cargo ship (AK) in order to support long-range expeditionary operations.

Program Background: The RNoN began planning for a new class of two fleet replenishment ships (AORs) in 2003. By 2005, the sea service decided split the AOR procurement into two programs, one as an AOR to support the new Fridtjof Nansen class frigates and the second as an auxiliary to support expeditionary operations. This project report will focus on the second vessel, which will be a roll-on-roll-off cargo ship (AK). The AOR will be addressed in a separate project report.

In 2005, the RNoN announced that sea service had already begun the project definition phase for the AK. Based on the 2005 timeline, a construction contract could be in place as early as 2009. It is estimated that the new AK will be procured by a private company and leased to the RNoN, similar to the Coast Guard OPV program. The vessel will probably be built in a foreign yard.

Program Acquisition Plan: In 2005, the RNoN began the project definition phase for one new AK to support long-range expeditionary operations. AMI estimates that the sea service will decide on a design by the end of 2007 and select a private management company to procure and lease the vessel to the RNoN. The management company will probably release the construction Request for Proposal (RfP) by the close of 2008 in order to affect a construction contract by 2009. The new vessel should be complete by 2011 and will probably be leased to the RNoN for a period of 15 years.

Based on these assumptions, a private management company will procure one AK at an estimated cost of US$75M.

Design and Construction Considerations: Information released by the RNoN since late 2005 indicate that the new AK will displace around 7,000-8,000 tons equating to a vessel around 140 meters (459.3ft) in length. The AK will also have a large flight deck and hangar for the operation and storage of two medium-sized helicopters. Armament will be limited to small caliber crew served weapons.

Key Personnel:

Rear Admiral Jan Eirik Finseth

Chief of Naval Staff

Defense Staff Norway

Oslo MIL/Akershus

N-0015 Oslo

Norway

Tel: + 47 23 09 80 00

Fax: + 47 23 09 83 12

Norwegian Defense Procurement Division

Norwegian Defense Logistics Organization

Postmottak

N-2617 Lillehammer

Norway

Tel: + 47 67 86 37 02

Fax: + 47 67 86 30 79