Royal Norwegian Navy
The Royal Norwegian Navy (Norwegian: Sjøforsvaret, lit. 'Sea defence') is the branch of the Norwegian Armed Forces responsible for naval operations of Norway, including those of the Norwegian Coast Guard. As of 2008, the Royal Norwegian Navy consists of approximately 3,700 personnel (9,450 in mobilized state, 32,000 when fully mobilized) and 70 vessels, including 4 heavy frigates, 6 submarines, 14 patrol boats, 4 minesweepers, 4 minehunters, 1 mine detection vessel, 4 support vessels and 2 training vessels.
| Royal Norwegian Navy | |
|---|---|
| Sjøforsvaret | |
Coat of arms | |
| Founded | 955, 1509 (not official) April 12, 1814 |
| Country | Norway |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Norway |
| Branch | Navy |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 4,009 personnel as of 2020 |
| Part of | Norwegian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Haakonsvern |
| Engagements | Civil War - King Sverre (1197) Scottish–Norwegian War (1262-1266) Swedish War of Liberation (1510–23) Count's Feud (1534–36) Nordic Seven Years' War (1563–70) Kalmar War (1611–13) Torstenson War (1643–45) Second Nordic War (1657–60) Scanian War (1675–79) Great Nordic War (1700 & 1709–20) Action of 16 May 1797 Battle of Copenhagen (1801) Battle of Copenhagen (1807) Gunboat War (1807–14) First Schleswig War (1848–51) World War II (1940–45) Cold War (1945–92) War on terror (2001– ) |
| Commanders | |
| Commander in Chief | King Harald V |
| Chief of the Navy | Rear Admiral Rune Andersen |
| Notable commanders | Peter Tordenskjold Cort Adeler Niels Juel Lauritz Galtung Kristoffer Throndsen Henrik Bjelke Niels Larsen Bruun Thore Horve Leif Larsen |
| Insignia | |
| Pennant and Naval Jack | |
| Naval Ensign | |
| Components |
|---|
|
Army Navy (Coast Guard) Air Force Home Guard Cyber Defence Force |
| Ranks |
| Norwegian military ranks |
| Bugle calls |
| Bugle calls of the Norwegian Army |
| Armed Forces equipment |
|
Army equipment Naval ships (active) Norwegian military aircraft |
This navy has a history dating back to 955. From 1509 to 1814, it formed part of the navy of Denmark-Norway, also referred to as the "Common Fleet". Since 1814, the Royal Norwegian Navy has again existed as a separate navy.
In Norwegian, all its naval vessels since 1946 bear the ship prefix KNM, which stands for "Kongelig Norske Marine" (which translates to "Royal Norwegian Navy/Naval vessel"); in English, these vessels are identified by the prefix HNoMS, meaning "His/Her Norwegian Majesty's Ship". Coast Guard vessels bear the prefix KV, for "Kystvakt" (which translates to "Coast Guard"); in English, these vessels are identified by the prefix NoCGV, for "Norwegian Coast Guard Vessel".