DCNS Deliver the Fifth Skjold FPB to Norwegian Navy

 Skjold FPBs are designed specifically for Norway’s littoral waters

20:03 GMT, November 16, 2012 DCNS delivered the fifth-of-class fast patrol boat (FPB) P965-Gnist to the Royal Norwegian Navy. The six-boat Skjold program is led by a consortium comprising DCNS and two Norwegian contractors with DCNS acting as the combat system design authority and co-supplier. 

The naming ceremony of Gnist took place at Umoe yard in Mandal last week.

The Norwegian authorities entrusted the Skjold program to a consortium of three contractors with DCNS as the combat system design authority and co-supplier. DCNS is working with Norwegian contractors Umoe Mandal and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, through the Skjold Prime Consortium.

Skjold FPBs are designed specifically for maritime security and safety missions in Norway’s littoral waters. The combat system is tailored to demanding environments and reduced crewing. The communications and sensor suites are fully compatible with active participation in international and NATO-led operations. The vessels communication capabilities will be further enhanced as they will be upgraded with a state-of-the-art satellite communications system.

With a length of around 50 meters, Skjold-class FPBs are heavily armed for their size. The combat system features eight anti-ship missiles and a 76-mm gun that can engage several targets at once at ranges exceeding 12 kilometers.

First-of-class P961-Storm was handed over in September 2010, second-of-class P962-Skudd in October 2010, third-of-class P963-Steil in June 2011 and fourth-of-class P964-Gnist in March 2012.

Recently, NDLO has awarded an additional contract to DCNS for the Follow-On Technical Support of the SENIT 2000 Combat Management System (CMS) of the Skjold vessels.

The success of the Skjold program is the fruit of a long-term partnership between DCNS and its Norwegian partners. Between 1997 and 2004, DCNS demonstrated its expertise in combat system design and development as prime contractor for the modernization of 14 Hauk-class FPBs for the Royal Norwegian Navy.