Terma to equip Skjold-class corvettes with Scanter 6000 radars

The RNoN's six Skjold-class corvettes are undergoing a life-extension programme to enable them to remain in service until at least 2030. (Norwegian Armed Forces)

Danish defence and aerospace company Terma has confirmed that Royal Norwegian Navy's (RNoN's) Skjold-class corvettes will be equipped with its Scanter 6000 surveillance radar as part of the class's life-extension programme.

In a 15 June announcement the company said the radar had recently completed factory acceptance testing (FAT) for the Skjold-class upgrade programme.

“These tests have further validated the robustness and reliability of the radars, ensuring their seamless integration into the upgraded corvettes,” the company said.

In 2016 the Norwegian parliament decided to phase out the Skjold‐class corvettes but this decision was later reversed, and the corvettes are now being upgraded to enable them to remain in service until at least 2030.

The centrepiece of the upgrade is the installation of a new combat management system (CMS), which is being supplied by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace under a contract worth NOK267 million (USD25.28 million) awarded by the Norwegian Defence Material Agency in June 2022. According to Kongsberg, the combat system is being upgraded with a similar system to that in operation with the RNoN's Fridtjof Nansen‐class frigates. As part of the contract Kongsberg will also update the tactical datalinks and other functions in the combat system.

Thales was awarded a contract in December 2022 to upgrade the integrated friend-or-foe (IFF) system.

The RNoN operates six Skjold‐class corvettes, which entered service between 2010 and 2013. The first of class was originally commissioned in 1999 as a prototype for testing and trials before being brought up to operational standards.