Merlin sub hunters for Norway?
February 25, 2025
Norway is in talks to acquire British-made AW101 helicopters, also known as Merlins, to strengthen its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities in the face of increasing Russian naval activity in the High North and Atlantic Ocean, and an evolving threat landscape in the High North. These would equip the five BAE Systems Type 26 frigates that are being discussed.
Reports of this proposed acquisition followed the publication of a Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence Cooperation between Norway and the United Kingdom on 20 February 2025. This included a pledge to work towards a “deep, ambitious defence agreement between our two nations,” including greater military and industrial co-operation and equipment compatibility. A Norwegian Merlin buy could see a similar co-operation between the UK and Norway as is developing between the two nations’ P-8A Poseidon fleets.
The potential acquisition aligns well with Norway’s broader defence strategy, which is increasingly focused on the Norwegian and Barents seas, where Norway is facing an increasingly assertive Russian navy, in co-operation with NATO allies.
Norway is interested in acquiring five ASW frigates (with an option for a sixth), and the Type 26 is understood to be the frontrunner, of four bidders that were confirmed as having reached the ‘final four’ in the Norwegian competition. The Daily Telegraph revealed that Norway was looking at buying Type 26 frigates as long ago as April 2024.
The Type 26 is built by BAE Systems in Glasgow, and would significantly enhance Norway’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, while enabling greater co-operation and interoperability with NATO allies. The Royal Navy is acquiring eight examples of the Type 26, also known as the Global Combat Ship or the City Class, and variants are also being built for the Australian and Canadian navies as the Hunter-class frigate (nine for the RAN) and the River-class destroyer (15 for the RCN).
The AW101 Merlin is considered to be among the best ASW helicopters in the world, with a compelling combination of advanced sensors and lethal armament. They would benefit from having a significant degree of commonality with the 15 AW101 Mk.612 ‘SAR Queens’ used by the Royal Norwegian Air Force for search and rescue duties, offering significant savings in training, support and sustainment.
Clive Higgins, the chief executive of Leonardo UK, said that the Type 26/Merlin bid was receiving cross-government support and noted that: “Norway and the UK have a strategic relationship and we see this proposal as a further opportunity for our two nations to be safer and more prosperous together. Should Norway choose the AW101 for this requirement as well, they would benefit from an efficient and cost effective transition into service.”
