Rolls-Royce supplies mtu marine gensets for F126

DAMEN Naval and Rolls-Royce's Power Systems division have signed a contract for the supply of 16 mtu diesel gensets for the German Navy's four new F126 frigates. This is DAMEN's first order for mtu diesel gensets for military applications. According to Hein van Ameijden, Managing Director of DAMEN Naval, Rolls-Royce was chosen because its mtu solutions are customised for naval applications.

Rolls-Royce is supplying mtu Series 4000 gensets for the F126 frigates in acoustic enclosures and on special shock absorbers.

Efficiency, fuel savings and reduced maintenance costs 

The on-board power for each F126 frigate is provided by four Series 4000 variable-speed mtu gensets. These high-performance gensets are the most environmentally friendly marine gensets Rolls-Royce has ever produced: they fulfil the requirements of the IMO III emissions directive thanks to an advanced mtu SCR system (SCR: selective catalytic reduction). Thanks to their variable speed, the engines can be operated particularly efficiently, which saves fuel and reduces maintenance costs. The contract also includes a package for integrated logistics support (ILS). It is the second contract awarded to Rolls-Royce as part of the F126 project: Earlier this year, DAMEN Naval had already contracted Rolls-Royce to deliver the mtu NautIQ Master and mtu NautIQ Foresight automation solutions.

The future of high-end marine applications

With this order, Rolls-Royce is continuing its decades-long collaboration with the German Navy. Ships such as the predecessor frigate classes F124 and F125 as well as the corvettes K130 are equipped with mtu engines and diesel gensets from Rolls-Royce. The diesel gensets for the F126 will supply the combined diesel-electric CODLAD propulsion system (CODLAD: Combined Diesel Electric and Diesel) with electrical energy. The CODLAD propulsion system enables a maximum speed of more than 26 knots. The first diesel gensets will be delivered to the shipyard in early 2024.

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 Dutch shipbuilder DAMEN as general contractor with its subcontractors Blohm+Voss and Thales. The ships will be built entirely in Germany at the shipyards in Wolgast, Kiel and Hamburg. The first ship will be handed over in Hamburg in 2028. The contract includes an option for two further frigates.