The Iver Huitfeldt class frigates have a somewhat unusual layout and look a bit bulky for this class of ships. Nevertheless they pack a formidable punch. Most anti-air warfare sensors and equipment are similar to the German
Sachsen class frigates and Dutch
De Zeven Provincien class destroyers. Though, the Iver Huitfeldt is a less capable warship, than those mentioned above.
The Iver Huitfeldt class is slightlty inferior to the German
Sachsen class frigates. It lacks a third layer missile defense and carries less torpedoes. The Danish frigate has got only hull mounted sonar, but no tower array sonar for submarine detection. Also the German frigate carries two helicopters. Furthermore the Danish frigate has inferior diesel-only propulsion system, which looses in terms of performance to modern Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsions. However its air defense radars are more capable than Aegis system of the
Alvaro de Bazan class.
Nr.7
Fridtjof Nansen class (Norway)
The Fridtjof Nansen is a Norwegian class of multi-role frigates, based on the Spanish
Alvaro de Bazan class. A total of five ships were built in Spain for the Norwegian Navy. The first one was commissioned in 2006. All of these frigates are named after the famous Norwegian explorers.
These general purpose frigates have both anti-submarine, anti-ship, land attack and air defense capabilities. A number of design features were incorporated in order to reduce the radar cross section of these frigates, and thus increase their survivability. However the Fridtjof Nansen class ships are not true stealth vessels.
These Norwegian frigates have very advanced weapons and sensors. The ships' weapons feature the Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics AN/SPY-1F AEGIS radar. It is a smaller and less capable version of the AN/SPY-1D AEGIS radar, used on the Spanish
Alvaro de Bazan class frigates, American
Arleigh Burke class destroyers, and some other warships. The multi-function phased array radar can detect air targets at a range of around 160 km and track hundreds of targets simultaneously. The system controls the detection and engagement of hostile air, surface and submarine threats.
There is an 8-cell VLS for RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM). These air defense missiles have a range of 50 km. The VLS holds 32 missiles. The second similar VLS can be fitted for a total capacity of 64 missiles. However these Norwegian warships do not carry any long-ranged surface-to-air missiles.
Anti-ship and land attack capability is provided by eight Kongsberg Naval Strike Missles (NSMs). These cruise missiles have a range of over 185 km and carry a 125 kg warhead.
There is a single OTO Melara 76-mm Super Rapid dual-purpose naval gun. It can engage both surface and air targets. Fridtjof Nansen class can be equipped with a more powerful Otobreda 127-mm gun, in place of the 76-mm gun.
These Norwegian ships have got a hull-mounted sonar, as well as towed sonar for detection of hostile submarines. There are two dual 324 mm torpedo tubes for Sting Ray torpedoes, that provide anti-submarine capability.
The Fridtjof Nansen class frigate can accommodate a single
NH 90 helicopter, which is used for remote anti-submarine and anti-ship roles. Norwegian Navy ordered 6 of these helicopters to operate on their frigates.
These Norwegian warships have a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion. It uses two Bazan Bravo 12V diesel engines developing 6 000 shp each. These are used for economical cruising. There is also a single General Electric LM2500 gas turbine, developing 25 700 shp. It is used for high speed cruise. The power is delivered to two shafts. Maximum speed of the Fridtjof Nansen class is at least 26 knots (48 km/h). Range is 8 300 km (4 500 nautical miles) at 16 knots (30 km/h).