Uruguay interested in Norway’s Nordkapp vessels as alternative to OPVs

Uruguay has expressed, in government-to-government negotiations, its interest in acquiring the Nordkapp class vessels that the Norwegian Coast Guard is decommissioning.

The class consists of three vessels, launched between 1981 and 1982, with a displacement of 3,200 tons and 105 meters in length, powered by four Wichmann 9AXAG engines that allow them to reach a speed of 22 knots and a range of 7,500 miles.

Its crew comprises 55 sailors plus six personnel to operate the helicopter, which can be transported in a hangar.

Electronics include a Hensoldt TRS-3D ES radar, a CelsiusTech 9LV 218 fire control system, and Simrad SS105 hull-mounted sonar.

Armament, a 57mm Bofors cannon.

Additionally, given the vessel’s dual capability to operate both police missions in the coast guard and military missions within the Norwegian Navy, the vessel can receive a diverse array of additional armament and electronic systems, including missiles, torpedoes, and electronic warfare systems.

Of the three ships, two remain active, while one was decommissioned in 2021.

The latter unit, years before its retirement, was sailing without the TRS-3D ES search radar, and it is unknown if other systems were removed before its decommissioning.

One of the two remaining units will be deployed in 2023 as part of Norway’s naval contribution to NATO, fulfilling missions as command and control ship of the number 1 anti-mine group of the referred multinational force.

ALTERNATIVE TO OPVs?

The Uruguayan government has the option of buying the ships as they are and probably have a valuable platform for about ten years, depending on the use they receive, or opting for contracting a dock to carry out works of improvement in the structure, engines, weapons systems, and electronics of the ships.

This alternative would allow having two to three ships of excellent displacement, with a low crew and excellent operational capabilities, including reinforced hulls for ice operations, with a useful life of more than 30 years.

The refitting and upgrading of the ships is a significantly cheaper option than acquiring new OPVs, based on the quotations obtained in the lengthy procurement process that Uruguay is carrying out.

The financial factor is critical for the current government, which is trying to reduce its defense expenditures to a minimum, and the Norwegian solution would allow getting out of the current complicated position, with a Chinese OPV technically selected but whose unit cost is between 75 and 100 million dollars, depending on the equipment they have.

A figure well above the Uruguayan financial capacities adds to the pressures of the United States not to buy material of that origin.

Although no official data has been made public yet, it is expected that before the end of the year, a decision will be taken as to which path will be followed, either to go ahead with the purchase of the Chinese OPVs or the possible acquisition of second-hand material.