The Norwegian naval program and the Dutch shipyards interested in building submarines for Norway in 1960

The former Dutch vice admiral Burghard (1) visited accompanied by a representative of the Dutch shipyard Kon.Mij. De Schelde, Vlissingen on 14 October 1960 Oslo, Norway for a meeting with the Norwegian commodore Th. Pettersen Chief Logistics of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Pettersen supplied some global details about the Norwegian naval shipbuilding program. There were some small submarines to be built for coastal defence purposes especially for the North area of Norway. Further more some smaller escort vessels of the Dealey-design with engines, some smaller patrol vessels of around 600 tons and motor torpedo boats of Norwegian design. All ships were to be built in Norway partially financed by the USA.

The German built Norwegian submarine Kobben

For the building of their own submarines investigated the Norwegian navy the existing models abroad.(2) They waited for the results of the trials of the 350 tons German submarine intended to order one if the results were well. (3) Further more were they interested in the French Daphne design which had as objection that the calibre of torpedoes and tubes was larger as other navies used. This could result in problems with supplying. The Swedish submarine had as objection that Sweden was no member of the NATO. The Norwegian naval constructor engineer Heggestad designed a somehow larger submarine. If this design was accepted by Norway were according to Pettersen possibilities for the NEVESBU to produce the necessary drawings. This was the only opportunity for the NEVESBU while the submarines were to be built in Norway using an existing design of which all drawings were already available.

Delivery of parts was another issue. Already spoke Norway with other counties for the manufacturing of the necessary engine room equipment included the Dutch firm Werkspoor.

They have to wait for the decision of the Norwegian cabinet to expect within six weeks. The Naval budget was now discussed in the parliament. In the meantime advices Pettersen Burghard to contact captain B.G. Lislegard, chief of Bureau Ships. Payment for possible orders would consist of military stores like guns, ammunition and clothes and not cash.

Notes
1. François Theodor Burghard (Surabaya, Indonesia 15 April 1900-San Pedro, Marbella, Spain 28 June 1978), out of service in the rank as vice admiral on 1 November 1956. Between 1952-1956 commandant der zeemacht in Nederland (commanding officer of the navy in the Netherlands)
2. The Norwegian navy was not unfamiliar with Dutch submarines. In March 1950 she assisted with testing a model for the Dutch so-called 3-cylinder design.
3. Norway choose indeed for the West German submarine 207 design with a displacement 370 (standard)-435 (submerged) tons built at Rheinstahl-Nordswerke GmbH at Emden. The so-called Kobben class.The Kobben commissioned on 15 August 1964 was in 2002 handed over to Poland for spare parts.