The German Navy plans to increase the number of F127 frigates from five to eight units, with an estimated budget of $30.42 billion, including weapons systems.
The ships, designed for air defense and, for the first time, with ballistic missile interception capability, will be built by the joint venture formed by TKMS and NVL. The command system will be based on Lockheed Martin’s Aegis, with Raytheon’s SPY-6 radar.
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Sources indicate that the final decision on the main sensor has already been signed, but it may be revised if the U.S. requires participation in development costs.
Meanwhile, the F126 frigate program, focused on anti-submarine warfare, is facing significant delays due to software issues with the Dutch contractor Damen. Three options are under discussion: continue with Damen, cancel the project, or assume German leadership. Another suggested alternative is to maintain the F126 project while adopting a temporary solution, with the possibility of transferring primary responsibility to NVL, ensuring the use of existing investments and the involvement of subcontractors such as Thales.
As a temporary measure, the Navy could order MEKO 200 frigates from TKMS to preserve anti-submarine capability during the transition. These ships have faster production, lower costs, and operational flexibility, and can even operate in the Arctic.
However, simultaneous acquisition of F126 and MEKO 200 is considered unlikely, and the final decision on the future of the F126s should be made soon so that the fleet reaches operational readiness in the coming years, also benefiting the shipyards involved.
🇩🇪 The German Navy plans to significantly expand its fleet by extending the contract for the purchase of new domestic F127-class frigates.
It is reported that initially five new ships were planned to be acquired, but now the discussion is about purchasing eight, with an… pic.twitter.com/kymB2KQmr4
— Visioner (@visionergeo) September 24, 2025
Source: Naval News | Photo: X @visionergeo | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
