Charting a new course together

European cooperation has proven its worth in many areas of the defence industry. Can German-Dutch cooperation become the nucleus for European naval shipbuilding?

Christian Freiherr von Oldershausen and Marcel Hendriks

Last summer, the Federal Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Damen Schelde Naval Shipyards and Thales for the construction of four frigates 126, the previous multi-purpose combat ship 180 (MKS 180). The fact that the new naval combat ship, which was put out to tender throughout Europe, is to be built by Blohm+Voss in Hamburg under Dutch leadership, caused a great deal of controversy in politics and industry. This was understandable, because in addition to a possible loss of national pride, there were concerns that added value and expertise would be lost in Germany. The unease was exacerbated by the fact that on 12 February 2020, the German government's cabinet approved a new strategy paper to strengthen the security and defence industry. This defines the construction of surface naval vessels in Germany as a key technology, as is also the case in the Netherlands. Technology that is inherently linked to the ability to equip one's own armed forces with the best available military equipment.