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PoliticsGerman Defense Minister Pistorius Scraps F126 Frigate Program, Opts for Eight MEKO-200 Frigates
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According to Der Spiegel, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius plans to cancel the F126 frigate project, the largest naval armament program in German history, and instead procure eight smaller MEKO-A-200 frigates from TKMS. Cost analysis shows the MEKO option may be cheaper but still expensive: approximately 12.3 billion euros for eight ships versus initially 12.8 billion for six F126 frigates. However, the F126 total financial requirement could rise to over 18 billion euros due to a possible change of contractor from Damen to Rheinmetall. The article also compares anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities: the F126 was designed with low-frequency towed active sonar (LFTASS) and quieter CODLAD propulsion, while the German MEKO variant will have hull sonar and torpedo tubes but its exact ASW configuration remains undetermined. The decision reflects urgent naval modernization needs amid potential conflict scenarios with Russia.
Source report
According to Der Spiegel, the costs reveal that even the supposedly cheaper alternative is proving to be significantly more expensive than originally calculated. While the unit price of the MEKO frigates was initially estimated at around one billion euros per ship based on previous exports, the Ministry of Defense now assumes that each of the four ships currently planned will cost 6.3 billion euros.
Since a second tranche is expected to be cheaper at 5.3 billion euros per ship, according to the ministry, Berlin estimates approximately 12 billion euros for the construction contract, plus an additional roughly 700 million euros for further services.
This brings the total to around 12.3 billion euros for eight MEKO A-200 frigates, compared to the initially mentioned 12.8 billion euros for six F126 frigates. However, for the comparison of the two projects, the Spiegel article then cites a different (not further specified) figure of 16.4 billion euros. (The difference of 3.6 billion euros could result from the perspective: on the one hand, Rheinmetall's offer, and on the other hand, the ministry's estimate mentioned by Der Spiegel.)
UPDATE 10:44: In a press release from the Ministry of Defense this morning, it is even stated that the "total financial requirement for the F126 would rise to over 18 billion euros." This, considering all factors, is the result of the ministry's intensive review of a possible change of general contractor from Damen to Rheinmetall.
Anti-Submarine Warfare on Two Very Different Platforms
A central evaluation criterion for comparing the F126 and MEKO A-200 should be the capability for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) — precisely that urgently needed capability for a possible war scenario with Russia.
F126 ASW Capabilities
- Planned use of a low-frequency towed active sonar system (LFTASS) from Atlas Elektronik
- Detected targets to be engaged with the well-known and proven lightweight torpedo UAW 90
- ASW capability supplemented by a separate, container-based mission module "ASW Situation Picture"
- The diesel-electric CODLAD propulsion offers the advantage of lower noise emissions, beneficial for listening for enemy submarines
MEKO A-200 DEU ASW Capabilities
- Follows a different, more compact approach with fixed integrated rather than modular ASW equipment
- The exact system configuration of the MEKO A-200 DEU has not yet been finally determined
- According to the current planning status, the German MEKO variant is to be equipped with a hull sonar and torpedo tubes
Source
CPM Defence Network – News: Verteidigung und WehrtechnikWestern
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Germany Cancels F126 Frigate Project, Orders Eight Meko-200 Frigates