PARIS – The timing of Norway’s pick of a new attack submarine may have sped up, following a press report that Oslo could make a single source selection early in the new year rather than at the end of 2017 after holding a tender, said one competitor.

"The Norwegian defense minister said … something along the lines of … she hoped for a decision not too late," DCNS marketing director Eric Chaplet told Defense News Dec. 20. "Does that mean she wants to push for a decision of direct award very early? That is a possibility that should not be ruled out."

Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide said, "We are going to, I hope in the not too distant future, make a final decision on buying submarines," Reuters reported Dec. 2. A pick could be made early in the new year, depending on whether the two competitors had answered all the questions.

DCNS’s offer faces stiff competition from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, following Oslo’s April down select to the French and German archrivals from six bidders. The French firm seeks to supply its Scorpene submarine in the tender for four diesel-electric boats.

A quick decision might lead to a single source selection in January or February, based on three official presentations and continuous updates, Chaplet said. There may be political factors for an early decision, but if there were, DCNS was unaware of those.

Or Norway will go ahead with a competition with a request for proposal expected by the end of March 2017, he said. That would clarify the core requirement and what is seen as secondary.

A bidder’s response is expected by end of 2017, with a decision likely by mid 2018 and a contract awarded in 2019, he said. The first submarine would be delivered in 2025 or 26. "That is fast," he said.

Norway updated its ministry of defense website Dec. 7 to say, "The Norwegian government decided in 2014 to investigate options for new submarines.

"This process is near its conclusion, and a recommendation is planned to be presented to the government in 2017."

The submarines will be fitted with Norwegian technology in some key areas, the ministry said. The procurement aims to boost access to the world market for Norwegian companies which have an ‘impressive track record" for combat management systems, sonars and underwater sensors for submarines, and also supply unmanned underwater vehicles.

"The MoD will conduct a thorough evaluation and assessment before presenting a recommendation to the government in 2017. The government will then decide which solution is best for Norway," the ministry said.

DCNS delivered formal product briefings in June, late October and earlier this month, intended to allow an overall technical assessment, Chaplet said. The offer was part of a French "package approach" with an industrial cooperation plan and backed by government and operational support from the Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office and the Navy.

This is a "competitive package," he said.

Industrial cooperation is a key factor, with DCNS delivering a formal proposal to Oslo in October, just after the Euronaval trade show.

DCNS has made a big effort to foster industrial cooperation with Norwegian firms, looking to work with small and medium companies alongside leaders such as Kongsberg and Nammo, he said. The French company held in September a first "industrial seminar" with some 35 Norwegian companies, backed by the DGA and CIDEF, with the defense trade association led by Hervé Guillou, who is DCNS chairman and chief executive. That meeting helped DCNS to draw up its industrial cooperation plan and fostered a first contact with potential partners.  

Kongsberg and other local partners would supply combat management systems, information systems, cyber security and other equipment.

The Norwegian counterpart to DGA attended the meeting for government-to-government contact, while French firms included Thales, Safran and Schneider.

Some 65 Norwegian firms attended a second, thematic industry day held in Oslo Dec. 6, with French and local companies seeking cooperation on a "long-term outlook," as the DGA might have other programs of interest to Norwegian companies he said.

The submarine tender is the core interest but Norwegian firms could sign deals with other DCNS boats and surface warships.

Chaplet declined to give a value on the industrial cooperation other than to say, "We made a rough estimate of the value. We did well. We have paths that allow us to reach the target set."

The submarine program can be seen as "fundamental change" for the Norwegian Navy, which seeks to replace its six-Ula class boats with a boat capable of long-range missions in the High North on top of present special operations, intelligence gathering and coastal patrol, he said.

Russian warships leave Murmansk and sail between Iceland and Norway as they take to the high seas. Britain, France and the US have the submarines and surface vessels to patrol that region, which is highly sensitive in view of Moscow’s active military operations.

That submarine replacement is a key element in Norway’s major upgrade of capability, as the Nordic nation acquires the F-35 fighter and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to become a blue water navy and extend its reach for the sky.

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