The “KNM Otto Sverdrup” was included in the Norwegian Navy in May this year. The vessel is the third new Norwegian frigate of the Nansen-class, a top modern and heavily equipped ship. By 2010, Norway will have five of the vessels, all of them made for a strengthening of Norwegian presence in the Barents Sea.
On Friday, the frigate officially raised flag in Longyearbyen, the administrative centre at Spitsbergen. Every year, a Norwegian Navy vessel raises flag at the archipelago, a symbolic act meant to show Norwegian sovereignty over the islands, Mil.ru reports.
-The frigates play an important role in Norwegian security politics, head commander of the Navy, Mr. Jan Eirik Finseth said when the “Otto Sverdrup” was launched in May, adding that the vessels will safeguard the Norwegian coast, oil and gas installations and in the High North where Norway has strategic interests, Aftenposten reports.
After having raised flag at Spitsbergen, the frigate now continues its mission in the Barents Sea, which includes fishery monitoring, a visit to the Bear Island and general Arctic testing of the ship.
