Norway Shortlists DCNS and ThyssenKrupp For Submarines Purchase

Norway has shortlisted the French company Direction des Constructions Navales Services (DCNS) and the German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the country’s future submarines program.

“France and Germany are among the biggest nations in Europe. A submarine cooperation with one of these will ensure that Norway gets the submarines that we need, while contributing to Smart Defence and to a more efficient armaments cooperation in NATO,” Defence Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide issued a statement today.

"This process is near its conclusion, and a recommendation is planned to be presented to the Norwegian government during 2016. Pending governmental decision, a formal procurement program will be presented to the Norwegian Parliament for approval," the statement added.

Norway has to replace its six Ula-class submarines, which will gradually reach their end of life in the 2020s. During 2016, it has planned to finalize a recommendation on the future submarine capability.