Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) has signed a contract with the Norwegian Ministry of Defence (MoD) for an integrated underwater surveillance and protection system. KONGSBERG by KDA will carry out the three-year project in cooperation with Kongsberg Maritime (KM) and the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), and will be assisted by the Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN).

INTEGRATED UNDERWATER SURVEILLANCE AND PROTECTION SYSTEM

The first version of the integrated surveillance and protection system has already been installed at Haakonsvern, the main base of the RNoN. Necessary adaptations, improvements and extensions will be implemented in the integrated system during the project period.

The background for the project is the general need for protection of Norwegian installations in Norway, and protection of Norwegian forces in international operations.

FIXED AND MOBILE UNDERWATER SURVEILLANCE AND PROTECTION SYSTEMS

The modular and flexible systems solutions being developed are based on Norwegian technologies and can be used at fixed installations, like Haakonsvern, or as mobile systems used by forces in unknown waters. Core technology has been developed by KDA through the work related to the underwater systems now in operation on board the new Fridtjof Nansen class frigates in Norway.

The contract, with a total activity cost of 30 million NOK, will strengthen the position of Norwegian industry in a growing market both within the harbour and coastal surveillance and protection segment, and force protection internationally.