Kongsberg secures contract to upgrade Norway's Ula-class submarines.

According to information published by Kongsberg on September 23, 2024, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has signed a new agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) to upgrade the Ula-class submarines. The contract, valued at approximately NOK 436 million, covers both hardware and software upgrades to the submarines' combat systems.
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Royal Norwegian Navy's Ula-class submarine. (Picture source: Dvids)

These upgrades are intended to maintain the Ula-class submarines' effectiveness until Norway introduces its next generation of submarines, the Type 212CD, expected to enter service in the 2030s. Kongsberg, having originally supplied the Ula-class combat systems and previously undertaken modernization efforts, will once again enhance the submarines' capabilities.

Kongsberg is also responsible for supplying the combat systems for the upcoming 212CD submarines, which will be delivered to both Norway and Germany in the future.

Technical comparison

The Type 212CD and Ula-class submarines represent distinct phases in diesel-electric submarine technology. The Ula-class, commissioned between 1989 and 1992, was designed for coastal defense, leveraging its small size for stealth in shallow waters.  However, it lacks some modern features found in newer submarines, such as air-independent propulsion (AIP), which limits its ability to remain submerged for extended periods without surfacing to recharge.

In contrast, the Type 212CD, developed jointly by Germany and Norway, integrates AIP, allowing it to stay submerged for significantly longer, enhancing its stealth by avoiding the need to "snort" at periscope depth. Its larger size and enhanced hydrodynamics further increase its range and versatility, allowing for operations in both coastal and deep-water environments.

While the Ula-class submarines remain effective due to regular upgrades, such as new sonar and navigation systems, they lack the strike capabilities of the Type 212CD. The newer design can deploy advanced weapons like the Naval Strike Missile, enabling engagements with both surface ships and land targets, a feature absent in the Ula-class.

The Type 212CD also benefits from significant improvements in signature management, with the use of non-magnetic steel and advanced acoustic quieting technologies, making it harder to detect compared to the Ula-class.