Last corvette laid down

With today's keel laying, platform production of the last of a total of five new Class 130 corvettes for the German Navy is in full swing.

Keel laying K130 Boat 10 FKpt Kenneth Harms_ Commander of the 1st Corvette Squadron.

Due to the pandemic, the ceremonial keel laying took place at the Peene shipyard in the smallest possible project circle in the presence of representatives of the client and the sponsor city. The new corvettes are being built at several shipyards in northern Germany under the leadership of the NVL Group (formerly: Lürssen Defence).

At the same time as the keel is being laid at the NVL site in Wolgast, the final forecastle is being built at the GERMAN NAVAL YARDS shipyard in Kiel. The forecastle and stern are then transported to the Blohm+Voss NVL site in Hamburg for joining. The approximately 89 metre long corvettes will also be commissioned in Hamburg, from where they will undergo functional checks and acceptance tests in coordination with the specialist departments of the public client and the German Navy.

Boats 6, 7 and 8 are currently in various stages of final outfitting, while boat 9 is in the production phase.

The construction contract awarded by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) on 12 September 2017 comprises five additional Class 130 corvettes. The first five units have been in service since 2008.

Boats 6-10 will be delivered by the K130 consortium (ARGE), consisting of the lead company NVL Group, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and GERMAN NAVAL YARDS KIEL. In addition to design services, production, integration of all systems, equipment and installations, the contract also includes the design of the shore and training facilities. Comprehensive logistics and services are also included, such as technical documentation and training the future crew members in the use of the equipment.

Corvette "Köln" of II Los K 130 in Hamburg before trials, photos. D. Angres