Full Breakdown
Potential Acquisition of Up to Six Norwegian-Built Motherships for the Royal Navy
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On 20 October, Norway’s Defence Materiel Agency (FMA) announced that it will run two parallel shipbuilding competitions for up to 20 standardized ocean-going vessels. One competition could supply up to six ships for the United Kingdom, in addition to four for Norway and four for Lithuania. A separate competition will address six Norwegian Coast Guard vessels, with contract awards targeted for 2027 and first deliveries expected in 2030. The UK portion is described as “indicative” and does not constitute a firm order.
Background & Context
The Royal Navy (RN) has already confirmed plans to acquire three Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) in cooperation with Norway to serve as motherships for autonomous mine-hunting systems under the Mine Counter-Measures (MHC) Block 2 programme. Those three OSVs are intended to replace the three Batch I offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) scheduled to leave service in 2028, although the RN has clarified that the Norwegian ships are not direct replacements for the retiring OPVs. The announcement follows the Lunna House defence-cooperation agreement, under which the UK is purchasing equipment from Norway to partially offset the £10 billion Norway is spending on Type 26 frigates built in the UK.
Data & Statistics
- Up to six vessels for the UK could be offered under the first competition.
- The competition may also deliver up to 14 naval vessels in total (four for Norway, six for the UK, four for Lithuania).
- Contract awards are slated for 2027; first deliveries are projected for 2030.
- The RN’s existing three Batch I OPVs (HMS Tyne, HMS Mersey, HMS Severn) are due to retire in 2028.
Official Statements & Responses
The RN has stated that it does not plan to replace the three Batch I OPVs with the Norwegian-built ships, emphasizing that the new vessels would augment, rather than substitute, the current MHC mothership fleet. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the acquisition of three OSVs as motherships for autonomous mine-hunting systems, and the Defence Investment Programme (DIP) has allocated £200 million for OPV replacement, though it has not identified a specific replacement pathway.
Why It Matters
If the UK proceeds with additional Norwegian-built OSVs, the RN could gain greater operational flexibility for autonomous mine-hunting, allowing simultaneous deployment in multiple theatres. The vessels could also support “Atlantic Bastion,” the RN’s emerging network of crewed and uncrewed systems designed to monitor Russian submarine activity in the North Atlantic, and potentially serve as a second Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance (MROS 2) platform to replace HMS Scott. Expanding the mothership fleet would help the RN operate a growing number of autonomous systems without tying up scarce major warships, addressing current shortfalls in hull numbers and training capacity.