Kongsberg Maritime has joined the prequalification stage of Norway’s competition to design and conceptually develop a new fleet of standardised vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy under the P1118 programme, according to the company and defence sources.
Kongsberg Joins P1118 Prequalification
Kongsberg Maritime confirmed its participation in the P1118 national competition led by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, which covers design and early concept work for as many as 28 standardised vessels intended to form a future common platform across the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Per Håvard Siljan Hjukse, Executive Vice President at Kongsberg Maritime, said the company is entering with its full product portfolio, spanning ship design and integrated systems for advanced naval vessels.
The bid comes as Kongsberg prepares to spin off its maritime business as an independent entity and list it on the Oslo Stock Exchange in April 2026, a move the firm says strengthens its long-term commitment to defence and naval customers.
P1118 Programme Aims and Scope
The P1118 programme is meant to establish a standardised class of vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy capable of fulfilling various roles, potentially reducing logistical and maintenance complexity while enabling fleet flexibility. Up to 28 ships could be developed under the initiative.
Norway’s broader naval modernisation effort has been underway amid plans to replace older combatants and support craft, part of a long-term defence investment. Previous reporting notes Norway’s work on future frigates and maritime strategy to strengthen naval capability.
Kongsberg’s Industrial Position
Kongsberg Maritime highlights decades of ship design experience, including designs for more than 1,000 vessels and naval systems integration for allied surface combatant programmes such as the Type 26 frigates under construction for the UK, Canada, Australia, and Norway.
The company also points to mature solutions for naval and coast guard vessels, with technology installed on thousands of ships globally, as a foundation for its P1118 bid.
With the maritime business becoming a publicly traded independent company, Kongsberg is projecting increased focus on leveraging its systems and ship design capabilities into expanded naval work.
Strategic and Industrial Impacts
Norway’s drive to a standardised vessel class aligns with broader defence industrial goals, including maintaining sovereign design and build capacity in shipbuilding and integrating technologies suited to varied missions. Industry observers note this approach can strengthen export potential for Norway’s maritime sector.
This development follows other collaborative moves in the region and among allied producers. Earlier reports highlighted cooperation between Kongsberg and international firms such as BAE Systems, which may shape cross-border maritime work, though those relate to different vessel programmes.
What Comes Next
The P1118 prequalification is an early step in what is expected to be a multi-stage competition to select a lead designer and concept partner for the new vessel class. Final selections and contracts are likely months away as Norway balances capability requirements with industrial participation. Scheduled ship deliveries and future timelines have not yet been published by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.
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