Germany Orders Two Additional F126 Frigates from Damen

The Procurement Organization of the German Armed Forces (BAAINBw) and Dutch naval shipbuilder Damen Naval signed a contract on June 19 for two additional F126 multipurpose frigates, bringing the total to six vessels.

Last week, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag gave the green light for the procurement of the fifth and sixth vessels. The first frigate is due to be delivered in 2028, while ships five and six will be delivered in 2033 and 2034, respectively.

The construction of the two additional F126 frigates will also take place entirely in Germany. In the coming months, work will begin in parallel at the German Naval Yards shipyard in Kiel and at the Blohm+Voss NVL site in Hamburg. The stern will be built at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, while the foreship will be manufactured in Kiel and joined to the stern there. The vessels will then be shipped to Hamburg for final outfitting, commissioning, and testing. Hundreds of suppliers throughout Germany are involved in the project.

In June 2020, BAAINBw awarded the construction contract for the F126 frigates to Damen Naval, together with subcontractors Blohm+Voss and Thales. There was an option for two additional vessels.

With a length of 166 meters and a displacement of up to 10,000 tonnes, the F126 frigates will be the largest in the German naval fleet. These frigates will replace the F123 Brandenburg-class frigates in the German Navy. The project's emphasis on automation and low maintenance will enable continuous operation with a core crew of 114.

The construction of the F126 frigates involves collaboration with various partners, including Lockheed Martin for MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems, Hensoldt and Thales for TRS-4D naval radar, and Rheinmetall for MLG27-4.0 defense systems.