The German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg) plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 class frigates as an interim solution until the potential delivery of the F126 class frigates.
By Waldemar Geiger / Hartpunkt
As the Ministry stated in a press release issued on March 18, 2026, the delivery of the F126 class anti-submarine warfare frigates is expected to be delayed. Therefore, in parallel with negotiations with Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) regarding the continuation of the F126 project, the Ministry of Defence is pursuing the procurement of four commercially available MEKO (“multi-purpose combination”) A-200 class frigates from the naval shipbuilder TKMS as an interim solution. These frigates are scheduled for delivery starting at the end of 2029 and are also intended to ensure the timely fulfilment of NATO requirements for anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
“This two-pronged approach (F126 and MEKO) primarily serves safety and risk prevention and does not represent a precedent regarding the continuation of the procurement of the F126,” the BMVg statement reads.
The Budget Committee approved a first amendment to the preliminary contract signed on January 28, according to the Ministry of Defense. This amendment will allow TKMS to continue reserving production capacity with subcontractors and suppliers, and to order additional materials, equipment, and machinery. The Ministry of Defense considers the extension of the preliminary contract necessary because preparations for a final construction contract are not yet complete. “The necessary intermediate steps, such as issuing tenders, evaluating bids, reviewing prices, formally drafting the contract, and preparing for parliamentary review, will now be implemented carefully and as quickly as possible,” the Ministry stated.
The statement further explains that the construction of the F126-class frigates by the Dutch general contractor has been significantly delayed and that negotiations are currently underway with the new Rheinmetall Marine Division Naval Systems as a potential new general contractor for this project. “Against this backdrop, commercially available MEKO A-200 DEU frigates were considered as a bridging solution and supplement. The industry has indicated that the first ship could be delivered by December 2029. To secure this date as a viable option and to reserve the necessary production capacity until a potential construction contract is finalized, the conclusion of a preliminary agreement in January 2026 was a prerequisite,” the BMVg explains regarding the decision now made.
Bastian Ernst, member of the Defense Committee and rapporteur for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on the Navy, welcomes the Ministry’s decision. “Given potential capability gaps, we continue to pursue a pragmatic approach. Risk mitigation and ensuring operational readiness are our top priorities. In particular, NVL is currently making a significant contribution to the success of the F126 project, and TKMS is making an important contribution to MEKO,” the defense policy expert told Hartpunkt.
This article by Lars Hoffman was originally published in German language at Hartpunkt.de. It has been translated and republished with authorization.
