OSLO, : Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a contract valued at approximately NOK 410 million with the Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) to carry out a comprehensive combat system and sensor modernization program for the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class corvettes.
The agreement, finalized on February 20, 2026, is focused on strengthening technical availability and extending the operational lifespan of the high-speed vessels. The contract represents a continuation of the initial Skjold combat system upgrade project awarded to Kongsberg in 2022, forming part of a phased modernization approach for the class.
Scope of Modernization
The Skjold-class corvettes are among the fastest operational naval vessels globally and are designed primarily for high-speed littoral operations. Under the new contract, four of the Navy’s six vessels will undergo targeted technical upgrades aimed at improving detection, tracking, and engagement capabilities.
The modernization program includes the installation of new electro-optical sensor systems intended to enhance situational awareness and target tracking performance. These sensors are expected to provide improved identification and monitoring of surface and aerial contacts in complex coastal environments.
In addition, upgrades will be carried out to the vessels’ existing fire control radar systems. The enhancements are designed to maintain and improve the precision of the corvettes’ 76 mm naval guns, ensuring continued effectiveness against present and emerging threats.
All new sensor and radar components will be integrated into the existing combat management systems supplied by Kongsberg. The integration process is intended to ensure compatibility with current onboard architecture while maintaining system reliability and operational continuity.
According to the NDMA, the upgrades will significantly strengthen the fleet’s capability to detect, track, and engage modern threats, including smaller and fast-moving unmanned aerial systems.
Alignment with Fleet Plan 2024
The Skjold-class upgrade forms part of Norway’s broader maritime capability development framework outlined in Fleet Plan 2024. The objective is to maintain the operational relevance and combat readiness of the corvettes until the introduction of next-generation standardized naval vessels and associated capabilities under the long-term fleet strategy.
Kjetil Reiten Myhra, Executive Vice President of Defence Systems at Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, stated that the company will continue its cooperation with the NDMA to support and strengthen the operational availability of the fleet.
Stein Håvard Bergstad, Head of Maritime Capabilities at the NDMA, said the contract is an important contribution to ensuring that the Skjold-class remains combat-capable in the years ahead. He noted that the upgrade will enhance precision, detection capability, and endurance, and represents a key element of the overall modernization of the vessels.
Implementation Timeline
Work under the contract will begin immediately. Kongsberg and the NDMA plan to initiate installation of the first upgraded systems on the selected vessels later in 2026. The program will be executed in coordination with the Navy to minimize operational disruption and maintain fleet readiness during the upgrade period.
The modernization effort is expected to ensure that the Skjold-class corvettes remain fully operational and aligned with Norway’s maritime defense requirements during the transition to future naval platforms.
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