The German Navy is apparently planning to increase the number of future F127 frigates. While the previous plan was to purchase five ships plus an optional additional one, the calculation is now based on eight, as Hartpunkt has learned from reliable sources.
By Lars Hoffmann / Hartpunkt
This development aligns with figures published by Politico on September 23, 2025, which reported that the proposal to be submitted to the Budget Committee in June next year allocates approximately €26 billion for the new “Air Defenders.” However, this amount is likely to include weapons systems as well. The ships themselves will be optimized for air defense and, for the first time in the history of the German Navy, will also be capable of ballistic missile defense (BMD).
The ships will be built by TKMS and NVL, which have established a joint venture for this purpose, with TKMS holding the majority stake. The program is set to use the MEKO A-400 AMD design developed by TKMS for the F127 class. Lockheed Martin’s Aegis system is planned as the overall command-and-control solution, while Raytheon’s SPY-6 radar has reportedly been selected over Lockheed Martin’s SPY-7, which had also been under consideration.
According to reports, the Inspector General of the German Armed Forces has already signed the formal selection decision, making the choice of the main sensor appear final. Insiders, however, suggest that the decision could be revisited if the U.S. government demands a contribution toward the SPY-6 development costs. Such a requirement could potentially add several hundred million euros to the program.
An order for additional F127s is expected to give further momentum to the two shipbuilders. TKMS is in the process of being spun off from its parent company, thyssenkrupp, and is preparing for a public listing, while NVL is currently being acquired by the defense group Rheinmetall. The transaction is expected to close within the coming months.
According to reports, a decision regarding the next steps in the procurement of the F126 frigates, which are optimized for anti-submarine warfare, is also expected soon. Construction of the ships has been significantly delayed, and a solution to the problem has not yet been in sight. Apparently, due to software problems at the Dutch prime contractor Damen, the construction data could not be correctly transmitted to the German shipyards responsible for the shipbuilding.
So far, well-informed circles have indicated that three options are under consideration: continuing the program in its current form with the Dutch shipyard Damen as the main contractor, cancelling the project entirely, or proceeding under German leadership.
However, a fourth option has also emerged. In his speech today at the DWT Marine Workshop in Linstow, Harald Fassmer, President of the German Shipbuilding and Marine Technology Association (VSM), proposed a two-pronged approach: continuing the F126 project while simultaneously procuring an interim solution.
According to reports, this option is currently being discussed by officials in Berlin. Under such an approach, the F126 project would continue, given the substantial investments already made in the design and the fact that several subcontractors have already been commissioned. Among them is Thales, which is supplying the command and weapon delivery system and is reported to have invested considerable resources in the project.
However, it is also reported that primary responsibility for the project could be transferred from Damen to the German company NVL. NVL is already the largest subcontractor involved, a fact of particular significance for its subsidiary Blohm + Voss.
At the same time, it is apparently being investigated to what extent an interim solution can be found until the F126 is finally ready for use – because, given the Russian threat, time is currently considered the most critical factor in procurement, while money is available.
To maintain the German Navy’s submarine-hunting capability during the transition period, observers believe TKMS could be commissioned to build MEKO 200-class frigates. This type of vessel can be flexibly equipped and is also well suited for anti-submarine warfare, with the option of being upgraded for operations in the Arctic Ocean. The main advantage of this approach is speed: thanks to the MEKO 200’s proven design and established production and supply chains — for example, through the involvement of the steel-construction company Rönner — the ships could be delivered in a very short time. Insiders estimate that, if the contract were awarded promptly, the first ship could be handed over to the Navy as early as autumn 2029.
The MEKO 200 is also considered comparatively cost-effective. Observers suggest that four of these vessels would cost only slightly more than two F126 frigates of the current design.
However, according to well-informed sources within the Bundeswehr, the parallel procurement of the F126 and MEKO 200 is regarded as highly unlikely, as it would be difficult to implement organizationally — particularly with the modernized F123 frigates due to return to service in about two years. Insiders in the armed forces therefore expect that a choice will be made between the F126 and the MEKO 200, with the F126 likely to continue initially if possible.
Nevertheless, the Ministry of Defense must make a final decision on the next steps for the F126 program as soon as possible if the naval forces are to reach the required level of combat readiness within the next few years. This would also benefit the shipyards. For example, parts of GNYK in Kiel are currently on short-time work because the promised participation in the F126 project has not yet materialized.
