Feature 3 | NoRDic Navies
Budget battles rein in Nordic ambitions
The four Nordic navies, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, are
united in the hope of renewal but face similar problems because of
shrinking defence budgets.
T
raditionally they have been
‘Green Water’ or ‘Brown Water’
services, confined either to coastal
defence or, at best, to operations over the
Continental Shelf. But with the laudable
objective of allowing their countries to
play a greater role in peace-keeping and
humanitarian operations worldwide they
are seeking an ever-more important ‘Blue
Water’ role.
Unfortunately, all have extremely
comprehensive social systems and these,
together with demands for other laudable
requirements, mean that defence is losing
out in the battle for funding as Peter is
robbed to pay Paul. Consequently, under-
funding of the navies is now one of the most
serious threats to most of these services
and is undermining efforts to convert
them to the demanding requirements of
the post Cold War world. The Royal Danish Navy’s Absalon is being adapted to provide three ships originally
Denmark is one of the most interesting described as ‘Patrol Ships’ but now officially designated frigates.
cases where funding for the long
established submarine arm was axed on the
grounds that it was not a capability which command modules to meet the envisaged operations to provide three (5307tonne)
the alliance required. This was one of the role on its next deployment. ships originally described as ‘Patrol Ships’
official reasons given for the disbandment The 5715tonne Absalons can carry but now officially designated frigates. They
of the submarine force, although on Harpoon anti-ship and Evolved will be built by the Odense Shipyard but
the day of the announcement, sources SeaSparrow Missile local area defence they can also accept up to five TEU-size
claim, NATO requested Denmark to missiles while their 5in (127mm) BAE Stanflex containers and will feature deck
deploy a submarine to assist anti-terrorist Systems (formerly United Defense) Mk 45 space for four TEU containers.
operations in the western Mediterranean. Mod 4 gun will be able to use the Raytheon The frigates will feature a 127mm gun
The money from submarines is funding ERGM long range ammunition. and two Oerlikon Contraves 35mm guns,
the most radical change in a Nordic navy However, they are designated support Harpoon Block II (with limited land-
for two centuries; indeed it was in 1807 ships and feature ro-ro ramps, 900m² attack capability) and Standard Missile
that the British seized the Danish Fleet for of open decks which can be used to 2 (SM 2) area defence missiles as well as
the second time and Copenhagen decided transport a mechanised battlegroup or can ESSM, supported by Thales Nederland
to turn the Royal Danish Navy from a accept up to 34TEU standard container- APAR radar. The first ship, possibly to
‘Blue Water’ to a ‘Brown Water’ force. sized modules of supplies, or a task force be named Peder Skram, will be laid down
This is now being reversed with the headquarters or a hospital. These ships are next year and will be commissioned in
first sign being the launching of the two truly designed to support Copenhagen’s 2011, while the last will be commissioned
flexible, multi-role, support ships of the commitments to deploying forces by the end of the following year.
Absalon class; ships which take the famed (possibly including those of neighbouring Denmark is reducing the Flyvefisken
Stanflex concept used in the Flyvefisken Nordic nations) abroad for a variety of fleet to 10 hulls, with three being destined
class multi-role ships to a new level. This reasons and are already attracting a great for Lithuania. However, the modular
concept, upon which the US Navy’s Littoral deal of attention. concept has long been abandoned with
Combat Ship is based, gives ships a variety The design has been adapted with a two being used for patrols while four
of roles by exchanging sensor, weapon, or greater emphasis on surface combatant each are used in the combat and mine
Warship Technology January 2008 17
WT Jan - p17+18+19+20.indd 17 08/01/2008 14:04:46
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