Norway offers MTBs for Operation Active Endeavour
Historical archive
Published under: Bondevik's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of Defence
Press release | Date: 19/03/2003 | Last updated: 23/10/2006
Photo: Per Thrana, NDMC(14.03.03) The Government has decided to offer four MTBs (missile torpedo boats) to take part in NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour. The operation has been mounted in order to strengthen the monitoring of shipping in the Mediterranean in connection with the campaign against international terrorism. The Norwegian submarine HNoMS Utvær has since January been deployed on operational duties as part of Active Endeavour and Norway has already contributed three frigates and a submarine to this operation.
Press release
No.: 11/2003
Date: 14.03.03
Norway offers MTBs for Operation Active Endeavour
The Government has decided to offer four MTBs (missile torpedo boats) to take part in NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour. The operation has been mounted in order to strengthen the monitoring of shipping in the Mediterranean in connection with the campaign against international terrorism. The Norwegian submarine HNoMS Utvær has since January been deployed on operational duties as part of Active Endeavour and Norway has already contributed three frigates and a submarine to this operation.
In mid-February NATO issued a request to member countries for suitable naval force contributions for Operation Active Endeavour. Having considered the various possibilities, the Government has decided to offer a force consisting of four MTBs, with approximately 100 crew and support personnel, for a period of about 6 months. The Navy has established such a unit with just such international missions in mind. The units engaged in Operation Active Endeavour carry out patrol and monitoring duties in the Mediterranean.
"Norway has shown that a small country with limited resources can have special capabilities that are in demand for international operations. In the campaign against international terrorism our contributions have included combat aircraft, transport aircraft, special forces, mine clearance teams, a transport management unit and a number of naval vessels. The decision to offer four MTBs is fully in line with our continuing policy of contributing in this way," says Defence Minister Kristin Krohn Devold.
The four MTBs can be ready to sail by early April. For the moment, Norway’s participation in Operation Active Endeavour is represented by HNoMS Utvær which deployed to the Mediterranean in mid-January. Our previous force contributions have included the submarine HNoMS Uthaug and the three frigates HNoMS Narvik, HNoMS Bergen and HNoMS Trondheim.
MOD contact: Rolf Kjos, Assistant Press Spokesman, tel. 92022471.