The third and final Type 424 SIGINT (signals intelligence) ship of the German Armed Forces has entered the production phase at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, Germany.
In a press release from Rheinmetall, reported by Naval News, the company explained that the steel cutting took place much earlier than expected.
“Starting steel cutting earlier means that all ships of this class are now under construction. This is much more than just a technical milestone — it is a strategic signal,” said Tim Wagner, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division.
“In the current geopolitical security context, which is changing faster than ever, we, as industrial partners, are doing our part to accelerate the strengthening of defense capabilities. Speed is now a key factor for security — and that is exactly what we are focusing on.”
The three new ships will eventually replace the OSTE-class units. The Type 424 intelligence ships, approximately 130 meters long, will serve the German Armed Forces as reconnaissance platforms for maritime intelligence gathering and are equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology.
Once operational, the intelligence ship will be jointly used by the German Navy and the Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIR). Its design meets the latest military requirements for future-ready warships.
Photos: NVL Group / Rheinmetall. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
