Norway’s Navy Runs Into the Same Problem as the Royal Canadian Navy – Not Enough Personnel

The Barents Observer is reporting that Norway’s Auditor-General has questioned the Ministry of Defence’s purchase of five advanced frigates – now in service as the Fridtjof Nansen-class – suggesting that difficulties in recruiting personnel to man the vessels is seriously hampering their ability to be kept in operational condition.

The Chief of the Royal Norwegian Navy, Rear Admiral Bernt Grimstvedt, recently admitted that personnel shortages are becoming a serious concern, and that the Navy does not have enough qualified sailors to man the new ships, according to the Observer. Grimstvedt told reporters that the Navy would often transfer crew from one ship to another to facilitate deployments when they do manage to leave to port.  Reports suggest that many of the most talented service people leave Norway’s Navy for more lucrative work in the thriving offshore oil industry.