Defence is investigating whether there are design problems with its latest multi-billion dollar warships after a sister Norwegian vessel foundered badly following a collision last month, prompting an urgent warning from Norway’s safety authorities.

Norwegian naval frigate the Helge Ingstad collided a month ago with an oil tanker and half-sank. In an interim investigation report published this week, the Accident Investigation Board Norway said it had “identified some safety-critical issues that require immediate attention” regarding the ship’s watertight compartments, designed to keep it afloat if the hull is breached.

The Royal Australian Navy took charge of HMAS Brisbane in a formal ceremony in Sydney in October. Credit:Katherine Griffiths

The board’s report stated that “it cannot be excluded that the same applies to vessels of a similar design delivered by [Spanish shipbuilder] Navantia”.

The Royal Australian Navy’s latest, largest and most powerful warships, the Hobart Class guided-missile destroyers, are based on the same design. Costing $9 billion for three vessels, the destroyers have already been hit by delays and cost overruns.