Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has signed an agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) for upgrades to Norway’s Ula-class submarines to extend the of operational life of the submarines. The contract is worth about NOK 436 million and the scope of work includes upgrades to software and hardware to the combat system on board the Ula class submarines. KONGSBERG supplied the combat system to the Ula-class and has previously conducted upgrade programs. The latest upgrades will contribute to keep the Ula-class operational until the new 212CD submarines are being introduced in the 2030s. KONGSBERG is also supplying the combat system for the new 212CD submarines, which are being delivered to Norway and Germany in the future.
“KONGSBERG is pleased to be part of the update program ensuring the Ula-class’ operational capability until the next generation of submarines arrives”, says Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
The Ula class is a Norwegian submarine type which was assembled in Germany in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The class, consisting of six vessels, is currently the only submarine type in service with the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN). The construction of the vessels was an international project. The combat systems were made in Norway by Kongsberg, the attack sonar is German and the flank sonars French. The hull sections were produced in Norway and assembled in Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke. Six submarines were delivered (1989–1992) to the RNoN. All are based at Haakonsvern in Bergen. The Ulas were the first Norwegian submarines to have enough bunks for the entire crew and a shower.
The Ula-class submarines are among the most silent and maneuverable submarines in the world. The Ula class is regarded as both the most effective and cost-effective weapons in the RNoN. During 2006-2008 the Ula class was slated for modernisation. Most notably, new communication equipment (Link 11), new electronic warfare support measures and a periscope upgrade. In May 2008, a contract for new sonars was signed, with the first submarine to have new sonar 21 months after that, and the last 52 months later. Furthermore, Kongsberg was contracted in 2012 to upgrade the submarines’ combat systems. The 2020 long-term defence plan envisages the Ula class being kept in service until replaced by the new Type 212CD submarines in around 2030.
