An ASW-leaning Type 26 for Norway

Should a Norwegian Type 26 emphasize anti-submarine warfare or air defense?

Norway needs a general-purpose principal combatant, but its infrastructure-defense mission gives anti-submarine warfare a slight priority.

Norway's frigates are its largest combatants, so they need general-purpose capability. Protecting maritime infrastructure gives anti-submarine warfare a slight priority over air defence. A Canadian-style Type 26 is one proposed model for combining those duties. Norway's existing Nansen-class frigates already combine missiles, torpedoes, guns, and an ASW helicopter. Buying another similarly sized combatant class would duplicate logistics, shore infrastructure, and training costs that Norway's budget would struggle to support.