The world’s largest warship to Oslo – NRK Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country

The ship is on its first operational voyage ever, and Oslo will be the first port visited. The ship is now in the North Sea where, among others, Minister of Defense Bjørn Arild Gram is on board.

– This is Norway’s security here, says the Minister of Defense to NRK.

On Monday, Gram visited the aircraft carrier out at sea together with the chief of defence, the minister of research, the US ambassador to Norway and several official representatives.

– It is a clear expression of the security guarantees we have through NATO. Not least the close cooperation and partnership we have with the USA, says Gram.

The USS Gerald R. Ford is the largest warship ever built.

In addition to a crew of 4,500, the ship accommodates 90 planes and helicopters.

Sailing with a Norwegian frigate

The aircraft carrier is now sailing together with the Norwegian frigate Roald Amundsen on its way towards Norway.

– This is a very concrete sign of the security guarantee Norway has through NATO, says the defense minister.

After docking in Norfolk, Virginia on the afternoon of May 2, the aircraft carrier was in the North Sea, in Danish waters, on Monday afternoon.

The ship is expected to be in place in Oslo within the next few days.

The ambassador: – Very symbolic

The US ambassador to Norway, Marc Nathanson, believes that the visit is very symbolic.

– Here we have the world’s largest aircraft carrier making its first visit to Oslo. It says something about the closeness the USA feels to Norway, and hopefully Norway feels the same in return, he says to NTB:

He points out that Norway helped start NATO together with the USA. And that the country is a critical ally for the US, partly because of its proximity to Russia.

– If you are going to the Nordics, this is the country to go to, says Nathanson.

(NRK/NTB)