Norway and the United Kingdom are planning a joint initiative to procure up to 30 new military vessels intended for use by the Norwegian Coast Commando and the Royal Marines during coastal operations. According to a press release from Forsvarsmateriell, these vessels are designed to transport personnel and equipment, land them onshore, and retrieve them from coastal areas under challenging conditions. The planned vessels will be up to 24 meters long, capable of displacing up to 60 tons, and have the ability to operate independently for several days.

The new vessels are expected to enhance operational capabilities, with an emphasis on improving speed, endurance, survivability, and maneuverability compared to current assets. The joint procurement falls under the program named Joint Commando Craft, emphasizing the collaborative defense strategy between the two nations. Forsvarsmateriell points out that achieving these advancements in capability is vital for both countries' maritime operations, particularly in rapidly changing operational environments.

As part of this initiative, Norway and the UK are currently in the process of exploring the market to identify potential suppliers, technical solutions, pricing levels, and delivery timelines for the new vessels. This collaboration underscores the strong defense ties between Norway and the UK, which have been bolstered by shared security interests and operational challenges in coastal and maritime theaters.