Lithuania and Norway to Jointly Develop Multi-Purpose Ships

Lithuania and Norway signed a memorandum of cooperation under a program to develop standardized multi-purpose ships on July 8, on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

The document lays the groundwork for modernizing the Lithuanian Navy and involving local industry in defense contracts, Alfa reported.

The Norwegian program provides for the development of a single modular platform to replace ten different classes of ships. This will allow the same hull to be rapidly reconfigured for different missions, significantly reducing maintenance and modernization costs.

Depending on the installed mission modules, the ships will be able to perform air defense missions using NASAMS air defense systems, operate drones, conduct electronic warfare, lay or clear naval mines, and engage surface targets with anti-ship missiles.

Lithuania requires four such ships and mine countermeasure systems for them. The modernization is intended to avoid a capability gap after 2030, as the average age of Lithuanian warships ranges from 32 to 48 years.

The agreement will allow at least 30% of the project’s value to be implemented by Lithuanian companies. Local manufacturers of electronics, sensors, cable products, and communications equipment will participate in construction and systems integration.

The signed memorandum is not a procurement contract and does not create any financial obligations. It only defines the framework for cooperation, while the parties will agree on specific financing, technical requirements, and implementation schedules during subsequent negotiations.