Damen Naval with contract for the next two F126 frigates for Deutsche Marine

On June 19, the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed with Damen Naval for an additional F126 frigate. This decision allows the construction of the fifth and sixth F126 frigates for the German Deutsche Marine, thus extending their total number to six units.

June 18 on our portal we wrote about the possibility of approving the purchase of additional frigate F126 by the German Navy. Already a day later, on June 19, the Federal Office approved the Ministry of Defence's proposal to purchase two additional units.

Under the 2020 contract, the Dutch shipyard group Damen Naval will begin building the fifth and sixth F126 frigates. These ships will be built in Germany, in three different shipyards: Peene-Werft in Wolgast, German Naval Yards in Kilonia and Blohm+Voss in Hamburg.

The frigates F126, with a total displacement of 10,550 tons, a length of 166 metres and a width of 21.7 metres, and a crew of up to 198 seamen, will resemble destroyers. These units will be adapted to operations worldwide, both in tropical and peri-polar regions, and one of the main operational tasks will be to combat submarines (ZOPs).

Germany orders two more F126 frigates from Damen Naval / Shipyard Portal — **Photo by Damen Naval**

The signed contract increases the total value of F126 to more than EUR 7.4 billion, indicating Germany's significant investments in the modernisation of its fleet. The first four frigates are to be delivered between 2028 and 2031, with additional units joining the fleet after 2031.

This decision forms part of the long-term strategy "Zielbild Marine 2035+" aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of the German Navy. Investments in the modern fleet are crucial to safeguarding national interests and highlighting the role of Germany in continuing to expand its country's maritime influence on a global scale.

Thanks to cooperation with hundreds of suppliers from all over Germany, the project also supports the national shipbuilding and technology industry.

Having more F126 ships brings many benefits to Federal Republic of Germany. This is the fastest way to expand and modernise the German water fleet Deutsche Marine.
Roland Briene, Managing Director of Damen Naval

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz