Cologne, Germany – The German navy is set to acquire four MEKO frigates from local shipyard TKMS to supplement its submarine-hunting capabilities, as the F126 program for specialized ships faces delays. Defense officials in Berlin have described the preliminary contract with the German shipbuilder as a “bridge solution” to ensure the sea service receives urgently needed anti-submarine ships by late 2029, in line with NATO commitments. The move comes amidst concerns surrounding a previous order for six F126 frigates, initially known as MKS-180, from Dutch shipbuilder Damen in a deal worth up to $10 billion. This contract sparked debate in Germany’s naval industry, with critics questioning the decision to outsource such a critical capability, even to a close ally like the Netherlands. Damen has committed to building the ships in Germany, with 70% of the contract value allocated to German vendors. Construction on the first 10,550-ton frigate began in December 2023 at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast, Germany, with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attending a keel-laying ceremony in June 2024. Despite the plan to procure the MEKO A-200 DEU ships, the German defense ministry maintains that the F126 program is not entirely scrapped. Negotiations are underway with NVL, or Naval Vessels Lürssen, which has been identified as a potential main contractor for the program following its acquisition by defense giant Rheinmetall. Damen has expressed willingness to collaborate under German leadership, while highlighting its intent to remain a key partner.
[Context: The article was contributed by Rudy Ruitenberg in Paris. Sebastian Sprenger, based in Cologne, Germany, is the associate editor for Europe at Defense News.]
