Commencement of construction of frigate F126 for Deutsche Marine

On 5 December 2023, the construction of the new Klasse 126 frigate for Deutsche Marine was inaugurated at NVL Group Peene-werft, located in Wolgast. This project, responding to the needs of the modern theatre of maritime activities, marks significant progress in the German defence strategy and announces the entry into service of these units in 2028.

The F126 frigates, extending beyond the previous F125 Baden-Württemberg series units, represent a new approach to maritime operations. Their project takes into account innovative management systems and enhanced operational efficiency, which is crucial to the challenges of the 21st century.

Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, a Dutch shipbuilding group, now functioning as the Damen Naval, was selected to implement this ambitious project. After winning the tender and signing a contract with the Federal Office for Hardware, Information Technology and Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) in June 2020, it becomes a key player in the implementation of the German fleet's modernisation plans. The total cost of the four frigates will be around EUR 4.6 billion, with the option of purchasing additional units after 2030.

Interestingly, frigates of F126, will have a displacement of about 10,000 tons and a length of 166 meters, will have sizes comparable to destroyers. They will become the largest combat units built in Germany after World War II. Their design will allow global maritime operations, including activities in tropical and circular areas, as a testimony to German engineering and vision of the naval power.

The key aspect of these ships will be the unique rotation system of crews. Each frigate will have two crews, up to 140 people plus an additional 70 seats, allowing flexible staff management and increasing the operational efficiency of the units. The possibility of exchanging crews even on the high seas, without having to call for port, is an innovative solution in Deutsche Marine's strategy of action, raising the combat and operational readiness of the fleet.

The German frigate project will be based on the concept of intensive exploitation, which will directly translate into an increase in the ability to maintain marine forces in the area of operation for a long time. Thus, Deutsche Marine will significantly enhance its operational capabilities in international waters, minimising the need to return to the base for routine maintenance and repair work.

In addition, these modern units have been designed for an efficient maritime supply system, which will allow to extend the operation time without having to call ports. This allows ships to remain in critical areas for a global security strategy longer, ensuring continued presence and combat readiness.

The production of the frigate will take place entirely in Germany, with the participation of three shipyards. In NVL Peene-werft in Wolgast, stern parts of ships will be formed, which will then be towed to Kilonia. There, at the German Naval Yards Kiel shipyard, there will be a merge with bow parts. In the end, the entire superstructure hulls will be transported to the Hamburg-based Blohm+Voss shipyard, which is part of the Fr. Lürssen Werft group (now NVL Group), where final equipment and shipbuilding tests will take place.

Istotnym elementem projektu jest współpraca z firmą Thales. 18 listopada 2020 roku zawarto umowę na dostawę i integrację systemu walki FüWes do fregat F126. Zaawansowany system radiolokacyjny Thales APAR Block 2 oraz radar Hensoldt TRS-4D z aktywnymi antenami ścianowymi AESA będą kluczowymi komponentami tej nowoczesnej technologii. Do zarządzania systemem walki wykorzystany zostanie najnowszy system CMS Thales TACTICOS, który zostanie również zastosowany na fregatach MIECZNIK w wersji dopasowanej do Polskiego systemu walki.

Fregaty typu F126, będące jednostkami wielozadaniowymi we flocie Deutsche Marine, otwierają nowy rozdział w strategii morskiej Niemiec. Ich zaawansowany projekt, skoncentrowany na maksymalizacji czasu spędzanego na morzu, znacząco zwiększy operacyjną obecność Niemiec na światowych wodach. Pionierski w swojej koncepcji system rotacyjny załóg, który umożliwia bardziej elastyczne zarządzanie zasobami ludzkimi i podnosi efektywność operacyjną, stanowi kluczowy element innowacyjnej strategii działania Deutsche Marine.

Podejście to świadczy o zaawansowaniu niemieckiej myśli technologicznej i strategicznej w dziedzinie okrętownictwa, stawiając te jednostki na czele europejskich sił morskich pod względem nowoczesności i wszechstronności. Fregaty F126 to nie tylko symbol technologicznej innowacji, ale także świadek zmieniającej się roli Niemiec na arenie międzynarodowej, gdzie stają się one kluczowym graczem w dziedzinie bezpieczeństwa morskiego.

Written by Mariusz Dasiewicz