Class 124 frigates were once ahead of their time. However, the rapidly advancing development of their main sensor in particular has required an upgrade for years.
Only recently, the Marineforum asked the question "Quo Vadis F124?" at the end of the article congratulating the frigate Sachsen on its 20th anniversary of commissioning.
In the meantime, the inspector of the navy has given an answer to this question. He has prioritised the availability of the units at sea. Instead of the extensive obsolescence elimination of the long-range sensor and the air defence capabilities, which has been planned for years and is now associated with a high project risk, the three Sachsen-class units are to be operated as trouble-free as possible until they are replaced in the middle of the coming decade. The good condition of the ship's operating systems allows the operational maintenance period to be extended and
Access?
- Access to all articles from the marineforum magazine
- Easy payment via PayPal, direct debit or credit card
- The subscription can be cancelled at any time free of charge
- Free of charge for MOV members
English 
German
A really good article that does justice to the Class 124 frigate and its complex history. It is an impressive reminder of what a huge technological leap the "Sachsen" class was when it entered service 20 years ago.
It cannot be emphasised enough: These ships were ahead of their time. They were the only warships in the western world at the time to have a 3-layer system of anti-aircraft missiles (SM-2, ESSM, RAM) and were therefore excellently equipped for anti-aircraft defence, their main task. The combination of the SMART-L long-range radar and the APAR phased array radar was a masterstroke that also bore fruit in the context of the successful co-operation with the Netherlands. The F124 was not just a ship, it was a statement of German defence capability.
The article sheds excellent light on the difficult, but ultimately pragmatic and responsible decision by the Chief of Naval Operations to prioritise the availability of units at sea over a modernisation project that is now highly risky. This testifies to a clear prioritisation in favour of alliance defence. It is a credit to the original design and ongoing maintenance that the good condition of the ship's technical systems makes such an extension possible at all.
The last paragraph of the article in particular puts it in a nutshell: Despite the known limitations, the three F124-class frigates will remain the "most powerful combat units" and thus an "indispensable part of the German fleet" until the arrival of the F127.
Great praise is therefore due not only to the planners of that time, but above all to the crews who have been operating these complex ships with the utmost professionalism for two decades. The F124 is an impressive piece of German naval history that still makes an indispensable contribution to national and alliance defence today. An excellent article about a remarkable ship.
The discussion about the future of the German Navy, especially after the experiences with the F124 modernisation and the F126 project, on which I have already made a separate comment, inevitably leads us to the next generation of surface combatants: the F127 frigate. At the same time, concepts such as the Large Remote Missile Vessel (LRMV) are emerging, which are still hypothetical in nature.
The F127: the future backbone and strategic centre
The F127 frigate is intended to be the central, manned backbone of the future fleet. As the successor to the specialised F124 air defence frigates, it will be a heavy, highly complex platform for a frigate, designed to lead a ship formation, in particular the LRMV, and protect it from air threats. It can be expected to be equipped with state-of-the-art sensor technology, advanced command and control systems and a usable weapons load.
Its strength - the concentration of highly developed technology, combat power and a capable crew in a single hull - is also its Achilles' heel. As a so-called "high-value asset", it would be a prime target for any opponent in an emergency. The challenge is therefore to make optimum use of its outstanding capabilities while minimising its vulnerability in order to protect its crew.
The LRMV: A hypothetical concept as a new solution approach
This is where the previously hypothetical idea of the LRMV comes into play. It is crucial to understand that this is not a final project, but a mental model of mine that shows how the challenges of the future could be met. If such a concept were to be pursued, it would fundamentally strengthen the role of the F127.
The LRMV concept acts as a force multiplier and risk distributor:
Distributed lethality: The core idea is that the F127 no longer has to fight alone. It would act as the brain and command centre of a small formation and control one or more LRMVs as its external weapon and sensor platforms. An opponent would no longer have to fight just one highly defended target, but a distributed, elusive system, each of which would sell itself to the enemy at a premium.
Scalable and flexible armament:
Depending on the mission, the hypothetical LRMV could be equipped with a variety of weapon systems.
The idea of modular, interchangeable VLS blocks consisting of 32 cells would make it possible to massively increase the number of missiles in the formation without overloading the F127.
Smaller pedestals (M and L pedestals) could be equipped with systems for close-range defence (e.g. RAM) or 30 mm (ABM-capable) tube weapons depending on the order. The F127 could thus fire the weapons of an LRMV at an approximate target that it has detected itself.
Modular mission capability: The concept is extremely flexible. Thanks to interchangeable stern slots modules, an LRMV could serve today as a platform for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), two days later deploy special forces with combat boats and later the ship can be used as a simple transporter of standard containers. This adaptability would give the F127 an operational flexibility that it would never have on its own.
Risk minimisation for the crew: The optional unmanned or minimally manned nature of the LRMV is a key strategic advantage. The F127 could send an LRMV as a forward sensor into a high-risk area to conduct reconnaissance or intercept an initial attack, while remaining at a safer distance with the crew to be protected.
Conclusion:
Even if the LRMV is purely hypothetical so far, the concept nevertheless indicates a direction of development. The future of naval warfare no longer lies solely in ever larger and more expensive individual ships, but in the intelligent networking of manned and unmanned systems.
In such a scenario, the F127 would continue to be the indispensable centrepiece - the platform with the most experienced operators, the best command and control systems and the ability to make strategic decisions. The LRMV concept offers a plausible vision of how to protect this valuable platform, exponentially increase its reach and impact, and give it a level of flexibility that is essential for the challenges of the 21st century. It would be precisely this kind of modern thinking that ensures future acquisitions like the F127 can realise their full potential.
Please forgive me that due to the lack of information I had to base this comment on my own model of thought, which of course remains a hypothetical/imagined model for the time being.