|
The frigate puzzle piece by piece
EL FERROL, SPAIN: The ceremony to mark the completion of the first module of the navy's new frigates was celebrated grandly April 9th. In one year the first vessel will be put to sea, and the navy will take over the command of it in two and a half years.
By Gro Anita Furrevik, FMS
CHEER: Commodore Trond Grytting, Commander Hallvard Flesland and Rear Admiral Kjell-Birger Olsen have good reasons to cheer the frigate project. Photo: Arne Flaaten, Forsvarets Forum
The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kjell-Birger Olsen, stated that the new frigates of the Fridtjof Nansen Class will turn out to be important tools of national security. They have been specially adapted for the challenges of operating in Norwegian waters, though taking part in operations abroad will also be among the frigates' key tasks.
It was a coincidence that the so-called keel stretching of the frigate KNM Fridtjof Nansen took place on April 9th, the date marking the invasion of Norway by Germany in 1940. Nevertheless, the Chief of Staff pointed to the fact that the date was still highly symbolic.
- This vessel is one of the many contributions to ensure that Norway is never occupied again, he said.
Grand ceremony
The ceremony held Wednesday marked the completion of the first module of the first of the new frigates, a year after the project was undertaken. This module is now ready to be put together with the rest of the total 24 parts of the vessel, as soon as they are completed. The 100-ton section was hoisted into place in the construction dock accompanied by the National anthems of both Norway and Spain, in front of a festive audience representing both nations.
Present at the ceremony was also the Chief of Staff of the Spanish navy, admiral Francisco Torrente, as well as officers of both the Norwegian and Spanish armed forces. The Norwegian ambassador to Spain and the Spanish ambassador to Norway also attended. It was obvious that the event was highly prioritised and that it took place in a city with strong traditions for building ships.
The El Ferrol based shipyard has produced military vessels since the 1700s. The Nansen-class frigates are slightly smaller than the ones built by our Spanish counterparts at the same shipyard.
Taking shape
The construction leader representing the Norwegian Defence at El Ferrol, Commander Stein Hauger, was very pleased with the keel stretch as well as the ceremony marking it.
CONSTRUCTION LEADER: Commander Stein Hauger is representing the Norwegian Defence as construction leader in El Ferrol. Photo: Arne Flaaten, Forsvarets Forum
- The frigate project has not been sufficiently visible to others than us working on the construction. The placement of the first module in the construction dock is an important milestone. It also marks the start of a new phase of the project. The vessel will now begin to take shape, and will become something more tangible that people can relate to, said Hauger.
Commander, as well as vessel commander, Hallvard Flesland is the one scheduled to take command of the vessel when it is ready in 2005. Even if the event lies two years into the future, preparations are already well underway. The training of key personnel will commence in the fall.
- This will truly be a fantastic vessel. I would have loved to have a full crew with me here today to witness the ceremony, said the proud commander-to-be.
PIECE BY PIECE: Every module is, as far as possible, built and equipped individually, before being assembled into a full vessel like the pieces of a puzzle. Photo: Arne Flaaten, Forsvarets Forum
Like a puzzle
With the completion of the first module, much of the work towards completing the vessel is progressing. The production is done through each module being built and equipped individually, after which they are assembled like the pieces of a puzzle. This method is quite unlike the traditional way of building ships, where a complete hull is constructed first.
- The Izar shipyard is one of the leading authorities when it comes to modular production of vessels, said Lieutenant Commander Sigurd Smith.
Smith is currently attached to the Norwegian Defence's office at El Ferrol as a hull and electronic construction inspector and keeps a close eye on the construction process. 1000 Spanish workers are busy with the different modules destined to become Norwegian frigates. Between 200 and 300 engineers work on the different three-dimensional plans before the different parts commence construction.
The construction of the weapons systems is now almost completed at Lockheed Martin in the United States. The equipment, including the SPY1 F radar and supportive systems is put through numerous tests to ensure the quality of the key components.
After testing the systems are dismounted and shipped to Izar for mounting and integration on the first vessel. The production of the portion of the weapons system that is meant for underwater combat is done by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA), and with Thomsen in France. KDA is subcontracted by Lockheed Martin and is responsible for integration and testing.
FACTS:
- From 2005 to 2009 Norway will be getting five new frigates, all of the Fridtjof Nansen class. The first vessel will be launched April 1st 2004.
- The contract with Izar was signed in June 2000. The Spanish shipyard was awarded the contract after strong competition with the German Blohm + Voss.
- The frigate project is planned to cost NOK 15 billion. In purely financial terms this is the most expensive project ever undertaken by the Norwegian Defence.
- Each of the frigates will be 134 meters long, 34 meters high above sea level, seven meters below, and 16,5 meters wide. Compared to the old Oslo class vessels, the Nansen class is 35 meters longer, nine meters taller and two meters deeper below water, five meters broader and has a water deplacement that is three times higher.
- The standard crew of the vessel will be 120 strong, 50 of them will be officers (six of these from the Air Force), 40 will be sailors and trainees, and 30 will be privates.
|
|
