In mid-April, the Bloomberg news agency reported on plans to trigger the option for two more new German F126 frigate builds, although it was referring to insider information. However, as it has not yet been possible to find anything to the contrary from the German side either, here is the Bloomberg report published on SWZ Maritime (Netherlands) in a German rephrasing with admittedly sparse background information. Even if "once again" nothing is to be done for the navy - there was unexpectedly little left over for the navy in the 100 billion turnaround package - this information should not remain hidden!
Background
Damen Naval is currently working on an order for four Type 126 frigates for the German Navy, which also includes an option for two additional ships. Since it was rumoured in January 2024 that this option would be triggered, no official confirmation has yet been received. However, as the German government is said to be considering a 7 billion euro upgrade of the armed forces in light of the tightening security situation, it is assumed that the package also includes financial scope for two additional frigates.
Statements
Damen Naval in Vlissingen would be delighted, but could not provide any details at present because it was a German decision-making process. The German Navy would also consider itself lucky if two more "large flagstaffs" fell into its lap. If only there weren't the questions of "where to get the crew?" and "which capabilities to build for which scenario?". Because with the deployment of the frigate "Hessen", which has just ended safely, the coordinates of the current war picture have shifted again!
On the other hand, we must not make the usual (German) mistake of allowing ourselves to be hypnotised by the pendulum currently swinging in the direction of air defence. Because before any missiles fly over Europe, we have to master what is probably the most important task in the sea areas west of the North Cape-Crete line, namely protecting our vital undersea infrastructure. And that - as you may have guessed - still starts with a permanently effective defence against the underwater threat in the entire Atlantic and its coastal seas off Europe. So F126 after all?
And by the time these units are due to close in ten years' time, we will hopefully have made serving on board so attractive again through a few skilful decisions that we may not even have to ask ourselves the first question!
Shipbuilding information on the F126
In June 2020, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) awarded the construction contract for the four F126 frigates to Damen Naval as the main contractor together with the subcontractors Blohm+Voss and Thales. This is the largest shipbuilding project in the history of the German Navy.
The ships are built entirely in Germany at the shipyards in Wolgast, Kiel and Hamburg. The steel construction and pre-assembly of the stern are carried out at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast, which belongs to the NVL Group (Naval Vessels Lürssen). The forecastle is built in Kiel at German Naval Yards, where it is joined to the stern and towed by sea to Blohm+Voss (also NVL) in Hamburg. The final outfitting, commissioning, testing and delivery as well as the equipping of the on-board systems are carried out in Hamburg. Delivery of the first ship is planned for 2028.
ajs
Source: bloomberg, swz maritime, hartpunkt.de
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