This information is based on a document published on the EU-platform for tender announcements (TED, “Tenders Electronic Daily”). It reveals that the German Ministry of Defence (BMVg) has awarded SAAB a contract to conduct an analysis integrating their RBS-15 Mk.3 antiship-missile (AShM) with the Saab 9LV combat management system (CMS).
The only German warships currently scheduled to receive this CMS are the four Brandenburg-class (F123) frigates, the first of which has commenced a lengthy midlife upgrade (MLU) and life extension, making them the logical recipient. Germany is also operating RBS-15 Mk.3 missile from their K130-class corvettes. However these boats are using a different CMS, developed in cooperation by Atlas and Thales.
The release of this document would seem to settle speculation over which type of AShM the Brandenburg-class is receiving as part of the MLU. The F123-class was originally fitted with Exocet MM38 AShM, but these have previously been retired after reaching their end of life. In the meantime the ships were fitted with launchers for Harpoon AShM to provide an Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW)-capability. The Harpoon AShM, which had been in service with the German Navy for decades dating back to introduction of the Bremen-class (F122) frigates are also reaching the end of their useful life in the near future.
Previously media had speculated that the F123 are going to receive the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile (NSM) as their future ASuW-capability. The NSM is scheduled for integration with F126-frigates currently under construction and as retrofit also on Sachsen-class (F124) frigates once these commence their own MLU. Furthermore NSM will presumably also be fitted to existing Baden-Wuerttemberg-class (F125) frigates which like the F124 are currently equipped with launchers for Harpoon AShM.
Selection of the RBS-15 for the Brandenburg-class may in that context seem surprising. However, seeing how Saab is the prime contractor on the F123-modernisation, responsible for integration of both the 9LV CMS and all relevant sensors including the Sea Giraffe 4A and 1X-radar systems plus CEROS 200 fire control equipment, integration of RBS-15 is likely far easier, quicker and cheaper than a respective effort for NSM.
About F123 Brandenburg-class MLU
The F123-class was commissioned in the early 1990s, with the primary task of anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Owing to budgetary constraints the ships were never fitted with their full equipment, notably the towed array-sonar (TAS).
Furthermore, due to the consistent delays and changes to the German Navy-posture and further budget cuts the ships have already received one modernisation and effective life extension from around 2010 onwards, replacing various obsolete equipment and making changes to the CMS. This effort was to allow keeping F123 in service until at least 2027 to 2030. The second and more comprehensive modernisation now underway will allow keeping the four F123-hulls in service until at least 2032 to 2035.
As mentioned, this program aims to replace the current radar-sets and CMS, in addition to other wide-ranging measures primarily affecting sensors, electronics and interoperability. The ships are also scheduled to finally receive a TAS for ASW-duty. An integration of the new NH-90 helicopters however is unfeasible due to size- and weight-restrictions on the ships. Instead a partial operational supplement of the existing Sea Lynx Mk 88A-helicopters with a yet unspecified drone-solution is reportedly under evaluation. The ships will be designated F123B, once the effort is complete.
