German shipbuilders NVL Group and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have signed an agreement for the joint construction of the German Navy’s future Type 127 specialized air defense frigate.
It will be based on thyssenkrupp’s MEKO A-400 Air & Missile Defense warship concept, possibly featuring the American AEGIS combat management system.
The US Navy released a pre-solicitation document earlier in July, calling for integrating the AEGIS naval combat system on a range of platforms, including the future German frigate.
The German Navy intends to procure six Type 127 vessels, replacing a trio of F124 Sachsen-class vessels, in service since 2003.
Joint Production
According to the agreement, thyssenkrupp will play a leading role in the vessel’s development and production, while NVL will manufacture the vessels, leveraging its extensive shipbuilding experience.
“We have already made considerable investments in the development of the MEKO A-400 technology and in the expansion of construction capacities at the Wismar site,” thyssenkrupp Marine Systems CEO Oliver Burkhard said.
“Now it is up to the politicians to successfully drive forward the project for the successor to the F124 and provide it with the necessary funding. With the signing of this contract, we are setting an important milestone for the construction and operational readiness of a completely new type of frigate.”
MEKO A-400 AMD
The exact vessel structure will be determined at a later stage. However, a design released by thyssenkrupp earlier this year estimates the ship’s displacement to be 10,000 tons.
The hull is 160 meters (525 feet) while the beam measures 21 meters (69 feet), a notable increase over the F124, which features a length of 142 meters (469 feet) and a beam of 17.4 meters (57 feet).
The vessel design estimates its top speed at 32 knots (59 kilometers/37 miles per hour) with a range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers/4,603 miles).
Moreover, it will have an endurance of 30 days.
Enhanced Capabilities
The pioneering vessel concept “extends existing capability profiles with an improved energy supply for future weapon and command systems,” according to thyssenkrupp.
The ship offers greater space for the installation of more missiles and a higher cruising speed.
It can be equipped with a range of air defense missiles. At the same time, it can be used to engage sea and land-based targets, as well as for anti-submarine missions.
“The sole purpose of establishing this joint venture is to implement the future frigate program. This is all because commissioning the construction of the new F127 is urgently required in terms of security policy. The serious geopolitical situation demands the fastest possible realization and closing of a capability gap. The F127 must not be put on the back burner,” Burkhard added.
