Large fleet construction: double strategy decided for frigate programme

Yesterday - on 28 January 2026 - the Defence Committee met in Berlin. After a number of reports on the current situation, agenda item 7 (BMF submissions) also included items relating to the German Navy's F126 frigate project. It was about nothing less than the decision to continue the stalled F 126 frigate programme or to present an alternative platform. A report from the "Federal Ministry of Defence on the procurement of frigates on the basis of alternative platforms."

Prior to this, however NVL B.V. & Co. KG (NVL) attracted attention with a press release, because - according to the text - they are working on "taking over the F126 project as general contractor in a few weeks". The team has succeeded in "untying the Gordian knot and successfully transferring the design data of the Dutch DAMEN into its own system". This has "closed the interface between design and production". Tim Wagner, CEO of NVL, commented: "This was a real challenge and probably the most critical milestone for a potential takeover." It is learnt that the proximity in time to the parliamentary referral was purely coincidental and not - as one might assume - premeditated. The fact that work is already in full swing fits in with this.

On the same day, the Budget Committee approved a preliminary contract with TKMS for the Procurement of probably four MEKO A-200 class frigates. 50 million has been released for this purpose in order to secure production slots and order material with long delivery times. The aim is to have the first ship delivered by the end of 2029. In addition, two blocks in the defence budget in connection with the F 126 project were released. This sends a political signal: the new technical start is feasible. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius is said to have said: "We are not giving up on the F126. But we want to run on two tracks."

Although this is progress, the F126 programme is still almost two years behind schedule. The MEKO-A200 platform under discussion is a way out: it is considered to be available, industrially manageable and has a lower development risk. At the same time, the investments in the F126 programme are "saved", as it would be politically and financially almost impossible to justify discontinuing it. According to our calculations, around 1.8 billion euros have already been invested, capabilities have been planned and industrial commitments have been made. The suppliers continue to fulfil their contractual obligations. Despite its fragility, the chosen course - a technical restart while simultaneously preparing an alternative solution - can be rationally justified. In terms of timing, the plan is ambitious; "well-informed circles" have rumoured that contracts are to be signed as early as spring. Who builds what is currently purely speculative, but the shipyard capacities in Germany will all be utilised!

A coexistence of F126 and MEKO A200 plus F 127?

Three large surface combatant projects are accessing limited resources in parallel: Design, shipyard capacities, supply chains and acceptance processes. The shipyard and personnel issue becomes challenging: are there enough engineers, skilled workers and dock space for three programmes?. The navy already has personnel problems today. Recruitment is becoming a limiting factor, regardless of the type of ship. One solution is being considered behind the scenes: the Phasing out of the corvettes class 130 would free up logistics and personnel capacities. The MEKO as a quasi replacement for the first batch 130 is not all that naval shipbuilding will have to and want to do, as further units are possible in the derivation of requirements: three instead of two civilian-crewed fuel supply vessels, four instead of three fleet service boats are conceivable. And no decision has yet been made on successors for tenders and minesweepers.

We will report back.

Text: Schlüter / Mergener / Stephenson