Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has secured a significant contract to supply advanced combat systems and strike capabilities for the Portuguese Navy’s upcoming class of frigates. The agreement marks a key milestone in Portugal’s naval modernization efforts and strengthens Kongsberg’s role as a leading European defense systems integrator.
Contract Overview and Strategic Context
On May 29, 2024, Kongsberg announced it will deliver its combat system suite—including the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) and associated command-and-control infrastructure—for the Portuguese Navy’s new class of frigates. The contract is part of Portugal’s broader Naval Technological Program (Programa de Navios de Superfície), which aims to replace aging Vasco da Gama-class frigates with modern multi-role surface combatants.
The vessels are being designed by Norway-based Vard Group (a Fincantieri subsidiary), under a contract awarded by the Portuguese Ministry of Defense in early 2023. The new ships are based on the VARD 4 19 design—optimized for modularity, reduced crewing needs via automation, and multi-mission flexibility including anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and maritime security operations.
Kongsberg’s Deliverables: NSM and CMS Integration
The centerpiece of Kongsberg’s contribution is the integration of its proven Naval Strike Missile, a fifth-generation precision-guided anti-ship missile with land-attack capability. The NSM features stealth shaping, an imaging infrared seeker with autonomous target recognition (ATR), and a range exceeding 185 km. It is already in service with several NATO navies including Norway, Germany, Poland, Canada, Australia—and most recently adopted by the U.S. Navy under the Over-the-Horizon Weapon System (OTH-WS) designation.
In addition to NSM launchers and fire control components, Kongsberg will provide its Combat Management System (CMS), likely based on its flexible “Combat Bridge” architecture that supports integration with third-party sensors and effectors. This modular CMS enables real-time threat evaluation and weapon assignment across multiple domains—surface, subsurface, air—and supports networked operations via NATO-standard data links such as Link-11/16.
Industrial Cooperation and Local Content
The contract includes provisions for industrial cooperation between Kongsberg and Portuguese defense industry entities. While specific partners were not named in public releases as of June 2024, it is expected that local firms such as OGMA, EID, or ENP may be involved in subsystem integration or lifecycle support roles.
This aligns with Portugal’s national defense strategy emphasizing sovereign capability development through technology transfer agreements and domestic MRO capacity building. Kongsberg has previously engaged in similar offset arrangements in other markets including Romania and Malaysia.
Platform Details: VARD 4 19 Frigates
The new frigate class—based on VARD’s 4-series hull form—is expected to displace approximately 5,500 tons full load with an overall length near 140 meters. Though detailed specifications remain classified or pending finalization as of mid-2024, open-source renderings suggest:
- A helicopter deck supporting medium-lift rotary-wing platforms such as NH90 or Super Lynx Mk95A;
- A vertical launch system (VLS) amidships compatible with ESSM Block II or similar SAMs;
- Sensors suite including AESA radar (potentially Thales NS100/200 series) and hull-mounted sonar;
- Space for unmanned systems deployment—UAVs or USVs—for ISR or mine countermeasures missions;
- Crew complement estimated around ~120 personnel enabled by automation enhancements.
The first steel cut is expected in late 2024 at WestSea shipyard in Viana do Castelo. Initial operational capability is projected around 2028–2029 depending on construction timelines.
Operational Implications for NATO Maritime Posture
This acquisition significantly enhances Portugal’s ability to contribute to NATO maritime task groups such as Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) or SNMG2 operating in the North Atlantic or Mediterranean theatres. With long-range strike capability via NSM combined with modern sensor fusion from Kongsberg’s CMS suite, these frigates will offer credible deterrence against peer adversaries’ surface fleets while also supporting low-intensity missions like counter-piracy or EEZ patrols off West Africa.
The move also reflects broader European trends toward indigenous capability development paired with modular open architectures—seen similarly in Germany’s F126 program or Finland’s Squadron2020 initiative—all aiming at future-proofing platforms through software-defined upgrades rather than hardware overhauls.
Conclusion
Kongsberg’s selection underscores both technological trust from Lisbon and strategic alignment within NATO’s northern-European defense-industrial ecosystem. As Portugal transitions toward a more capable blue-water navy by the end of this decade, partnerships like this one will define not just platform performance—but long-term interoperability across allied fleets facing increasingly complex maritime threats.
Sources
- KONGSBERG signs contract with Portuguese Navy – Official Press Release – May 29, 2024
- Container News – “Kongsberg will deliver systems to the Portuguese navy” – May 30, 2024
- Defense News – “Portugal orders new frigates from Vard Group” – Jan 12, 2023
- Naval News – “VARD To Build New Frigates For Portuguese Navy” – Jan 12, 2023
- Naval News – “The Naval Strike Missile In Detail” – Oct 2019
- Janes Defence Weekly Database – Accessed June 1–3, 2024 for platform specs & program details
