thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and KONGSBERG enter cooperation agreement to strengthen their partnership

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) have entered a cooperation agreement aimed at fostering further close industrial collaboration to support the defence requirements of Norway, Germany and other allied countries. The agreement primarily serves to strengthen the relationship of trust between the two partners and to further promote technological cooperation in the future.

In 2024, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence selected Germany as one of four countries for discussions about a potential strategic partnership for deliveries of new frigates to replace the Royal Norwegian Navy’s current Fridtjof Nansen-class.

“We have worked together with KONGSBERG for many years, which reflects the strong relationship between Germany and Norway, built over years of cooperation as close allies and friends,” said Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “This agreement brings together a number of areas in which our companies are already collaborating and further enhances our ability to deliver advanced defence capabilities for current and future Norwegian and German armed forces.”

Through industrial cooperation and a partnership approach, the two companies can provide a foundation for job creation, technology transfer and investment to benefit national and international markets.

“KONGSBERG and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems already have a substantial cooperation related to submarines. This new agreement enables us to build on the successful partnerships between the two companies and between our two nations’ industries. It further strengthens our ability to offer advanced maritime capability to the Norwegian and German defence forces,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Under the terms of this specific agreement, the two companies will seek to explore long-term cooperation in existing and future joint programs across all military domains. These may include the Vanguard vessel system, a strategic partnership for through-life support for the new frigates, strike missiles, maritime surveillance and targeting and ship system deliveries to both nations’ frigates and additional naval ships.