The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) has outlined plans to procure up to 20 ocean-going standardised vessels for Norway, the UK and Lithuania through two separate shipbuilding contracts under project P1118.
The agency said on Tuesday, October 20, that one procurement exercise would proceed through two parallel competitive tracks: one covering up to 14 naval vessels and the other covering as many as six Norwegian Coast Guard vessels.
Suppliers can seek qualification for either track or for both, but no bidder can receive both contracts.
The naval batch comprises up to four vessels for Norway, up to six for the UK and up to four for Lithuania. All quantities are planned maxima.
"By dividing the procurement into two contracts, we aim to enable broad industry participation, reduce risk, and ensure robust execution," said NDMA Director General Gro Jære.
The agency will begin with the ocean-going variant, approximately 90 metres long, because it has reached a more advanced stage of development than the 55-metre coastal concept. Contract award for the larger vessels is targeted for 2027, with first delivery in 2030.
The indicative notice provides shipbuilders with information before prequalification. Updates will be issued through the pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) and invitation to tender (ITT).
Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace and Salt Ship Design were selected in March to develop the design concept for up to 28 Norwegian vessels. Lithuania joined the project through a memorandum of understanding signed with Norway on July 8.