Germany has announced plans to procure a fourth Type 424 signals intelligence and reconnaissance (SIGNIT) vessel, as Rheinmetall laid the keel for the third ship ahead of schedule at its Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolfgast.
Revealed by Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, the proposal for the additional spy vessel now moves to parliament for budget approval, expanding the planned fleet designed to bolster maritime research and data gathering.
Once completed, the new series will replace the German Navy’s 1980s-era Type 423 Oste-class fleet, with initial deliveries set from 2029 through 2031.
Rheinmetall is now constructing the second and third vessels simultaneously in Wolgast before transferring them to its Blohm+Voss facility in Hamburg for final outfitting and testing.
“These boats can see what remains hidden from others. They are our eyes and ears on the high seas,” Pistorius said at the Peene-Werft ceremony, emphasizing the ships’ role in countering Russian hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea and beyond.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger also commented on the breakthrough, saying the event “is a strong testament” to the capacity of the site and its role in the NATO country’s domestic defense industry network.
“It demonstrates what is possible when planning, technological expertise, and collaborative partnerships are consistently integrated. It also showcases the skills and knowledge that make this facility a hub of modern naval shipbuilding,” Papperger said.
Germany’s Type 424 SIGINT System
Berlin’s Type 424 ship will monitor the electromagnetic spectrum across land, sea, and air using advanced sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and automated control systems.
Alongside naval operators, the platform will be boarded by Cyber and Information Domain Service specialists to analyze electronic signals and support digital defense operations.
The vessel has a hull spanning 132 meters (433 feet) and can accommodate up to 100 people.
During operations, the Type 424 is expected to surpass the performance of its 84-meter (276-foot) Type 423 predecessor, which, at its time, sailed with Cold War-era SIGINT capabilities as well as early warning and communication technologies.
