Kongsberg Maritime has thrown its hat into the prequalification phase of Norway’s P1118 competition to design and develop up to 28 new standardized vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy.
The move underscores the company’s intent to strengthen its naval business as it prepares to list as an independent entity on the Oslo Stock Exchange this year.
Announced by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, the competition seeks designs and integrated systems that can serve a broad range of future naval needs, from patrol and surveillance to coast guard and auxiliary duties.
As part of its pitch, Kongsberg points to its current role supplying critical maritime systems on Type 26 frigates for the British, Canadian, Australian, and Norwegian navies, highlighting decades of experience in both civilian and military shipbuilding that it hopes will give it an edge in the P1118 process.
Kongsberg, boasting more than a thousand complete ship designs and systems installed on over 900 military vessels worldwide, said its full portfolio — including advanced vessel design and integrated maritime systems — positions it well to offer solutions that balance performance, efficiency and innovation.
Per Håvard Siljan Hjukse, Executive Vice President at Kongsberg Maritime, said that the opportunity could also boost export potential for Norway’s broader maritime industry cluster.
The P1118 Competition
The P1118 competition isn’t limited to Kongsberg Maritime. Other Norwegian industry players are actively shaping proposals for the future fleet.
In 2025, Ulstein Group teamed up with Larsnes Mek Verkstad to present designs for the new standardized vessels, planning joint delivery of all 28 platforms under the program.
Their proposals focus on modular, flexible designs tailored for tasks ranging from maritime surveillance to mine warfare, with construction planned to leverage both Norwegian and Polish facilities to balance capacity and domestic value creation.
These developments come as Norway pursues one of its most ambitious naval modernization efforts in decades, complementing other large procurements such as its Type 26 frigate deal with the UK. This program will see at least five British‑built anti‑submarine warfare frigates join the Royal Norwegian Navy by the 2030s.
