Keel laying K130 boat 10_Representatives of the BAAINBw and the German Navy
On 15 March 2022, construction number 10 of the Braunschweig class was laid down in Wolgast. The future "Lübeck" is the last (?) unit of the second batch of Class 130 for the German Navy for the time being. According to the current armaments report, corvettes 6 to 8 are being fitted out in Hamburg. Construction number 9, the corvette "Augsburg", is still in the production phase. In terms of shipbuilding, the boats are on schedule. Delivery of the first of the second batch, corvette "Köln" (F265), is expected in 2023, nine months later than planned when the order was placed in September 2017. The delivery of all ships should be completed by 2025. One of the reasons for the comparatively short delay compared to other defence projects is a twelve-month "design freeze" for the deployment system requested by the customer. This is intended to ensure that the boats and the deployment/operational support centre are delivered with the full functionalities of the deployment system. A delay in delivery of the first two units "Köln" and "Emden" was accepted.
On 12 September 2017, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) awarded the construction contract for the second batch of K130 corvettes. The 2021 Federal Budget Act allocates a sum of 2.273 billion euros for the procurement of the second batch of Class 130 corvettes. The project is currently thirteen per cent (311 million euros) over budget.
The first five units of the Braunschweig class have been in service since 2008 and are deployed on international alliance missions, for example as part of the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The corvette "Erfurt" is currently reinforcing NATO's Standing Naval Maritime Group 1 in its tasks in the northern flank area. As a result of current developments, it has been re-routed from its originally planned deployment off the coast of the Levant to the Norwegian Sea.
Extension of the second lot?
In May 2020, the then CDU chairman of the Bundestag's defence committee, Ingo Gädechens, surprised everyone with his proposal to procure another batch of five K130 corvettes. The MP married the Navy's operational reasons with a widespread endeavour at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic to provide incentives for the economy, in Gädechens' case for the shipyard location of northern Germany. The newbuildings are intended to replace the units of the first batch, which would have a service life of 20 years or more when the third batch arrives. Their modernisation would cost almost the same as newbuildings. Their sale could offset some of the procurement costs.
An indicative decision to procure a further five corvettes (construction numbers 11-15) has so far been rejected as not financially viable. This could increase operational availability if the national ambition of ten corvettes in total is fulfilled. In light of the upcoming decision on the 2022 - 2026 financial plan and in the context of the special Bundeswehr fund announced by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, these considerations could be given new impetus.
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These corvettes are more gunboats for police duties than versatile small combat vessels; the shortcomings of their armament are sufficiently well known. Procuring a further batch under the aspect of the LV/BV does not appear to comply with the principles of expediency and economic efficiency. In any case, German shipyards also have much more modern, appropriately armed models on offer, which should be favoured.
True, but at least they get a good EW system.