Norway: Frigate Helge Ingstad finally sank



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It was not possible to save the Norwegian frigate Helge Ingstad, which eventually sank and can now be considered unrecoverable. It is now time for the Norwegian authorities to bail out the wreck, which will probably be dismantled rather than repaired, the cost of repairs being logically too important. Beyond the huge breach in the hull and the effects of sinking on the structure, all equipment, especially the energy / propulsion and electronic systems, would indeed be good to change after their stay in the water. sea.

The Helge Ingstad frigate now almost submerged (© KYSTVERKET

The Helge Ingstad frigate now almost submerged (© KYSTVERKET)

The frigate Helge Ingstad on the day of the accident (© KYSTVERKET

The frigate Helge Ingstad on the day of the accident (© KYSTVERKET)

While waiting for the building to be cleared, the Norwegian authorities are still mobilized to fight the pollution generated by the oil released from the disemboweled hull. It will also be necessary to extract the armament contained on board, knowing that Helge Ingstad was equipped with ESSM surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship NSM missiles, torpedoes and numerous shells for its 76mm turret and its secondary artillery.

The building is for memory collided with the tanker Sola ST shortly before 4 am on November 8. The accident occurred near Sture Harbor, near Bergen, where the frigate was going and the tanker had just left after refueling. Very low on the water and particularly prominent, the starboard hawk of Sola ST tore the hull of the frigate about half its length, causing uncontrollable waterways by the crew. The latter, composed of 127 sailors, 8 of whom were wounded, was evacuated. The Norwegian coastguard brought the frigate near the coast to prevent it from capsizing completely. At first, she lay on the starboard side, the rear part being submerged. Despite putting in place devices to hold her in this position, the frigate finally sank almost entirely, from the front this time, starting Monday night. From now on, only the upper part of the radar mast, as well as a corner of the helicopter hangar and the end of the platform emerge. A situation that could still deteriorate since the wreck rests on a sloping bottom.

The loss of the Helge Ingstad is a very hard blow for the Norwegian Navy, which sees its private surface forces of 20% of their offshore capabilities. It is also a recent building, the frigate having been in service only 9 years ago.

The Otto Sverdrup (© JEAN6CLAUDE BELLONNE

The Otto Sverdrup (© JEAN6CLAUDE BELLONNE)

Fourth in a clbad of five frigates also made up of Fridtjof Nansen (2006), Roald Amundsen (2007), Otto Sverdrup (2008) and Thor Heyerdahl (2011), Helge Ingstad, built like the other units of this type by the Navantia shipyard in Ferrol, Spain, entered service in 2009. With a length of 133 meters and a load displacement of 5290 tonnes, these vessels can reach speeds of 26 knots. They have 32 ESSM surface-to-air missiles, 8 NSM anti-ship missiles, a 76mm turret, light artillery and four Sting Ray torpedo tubes. The electronic equipment includes a US SPY-1F flat four-sided radar, a hull sonar and a towed sonar (Captas 2). Anti-submarine capabilities reinforced by the NH90 helicopter they embark.

The five frigate program cost Norway 21 billion kroner, which was a little over 2.5 billion dollars at the time.

The Otto Sverdrup (© JEAN6CLAUDE BELLONNE

The Otto Sverdrup (© JEAN6CLAUDE BELLONNE)

The Otto Sverdrup (© JEAN6CLAUDE BELLONNE

The Otto Sverdrup (© JEAN6CLAUDE BELLONNE)

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